#Maroon Creek valley

[horizoncountdown]

For those that are curious, this is the Real World Horizon location map that Count uses, done by jesuscuervo on Reddit.

See under the cut for more information.

Real World Horizon Map (Speculative)

The Embrace proper is just the valleys and lakes between Pike’s Peak and Cheyenne Mountain, the core of the Nora Territory. Here, I placed each village in a valley respective to the location of Cheyenne Mountain but moved a few things around so it would not be too crowded.

The Outer Sacred Lands – outside the Embrace proper – contain several outcast camps. I had the Nora Territory expand across the Grand Mesa and Gunnison National Forest. Brom’s Camp is located over the Black Canyon of the Gunnison as it is depicted in-game, while Rost’s Hovel and Grata’s Camp are located on the hills/mountains closer to the Embrace.

Valleymeet; the neutral land between The Sacred Lands and the Carja Sundom is based on Maroon Bells, CO in-game. However, I mapped it out to include all of the White River National Forest within Valleymeet.

Hunter’s Gathering the main settlement in Valleymeet would likely be would be located on the Roaring Fork Valley near Woody Creek. That is the largest open valley in the area and the path through which the present-day CO-82 passes could work as a main throughway between the Nora and Carja lands.

Shivering Watch, following CO-82 the mountains narrow into a canyon south of Glenwood Springs (not Glenwood Canyon). The canyon acts as the chokepoint and border between the formerly Nora lands and the Carja Sundom where Shivering Watch and The Daytower are located.

Two Teeth Camp is depicted as being on Maroon Peak in-game. However, it is built over the ruins of the Smuggler-Union Hydroelectric Plant, which is further south in Telluride, CO. I kept Two-Teeth in the southern location so it acts as a second buffer between the Sacred Lands and the Sundom.

The Carja Sundom; is where the game took the greatest artistic liberty. The game depicts the heartland of the Carja Sundom south of the Colorado River (Lake Powell specifically); however the real-world locations depicted within The Sundom, the area its geography is based on (Eagle Canyon, Arches, and Canyonlands National Parks), and the route Alloy travels through suggests the Sundom is actually located north of the Colorado River in the real world. Thus rather than having the Sundom’s heartland located in the Colorado Mesa, it would make more sense to place it in the already fertile Price and Green River Valleys in Utah. This way I was able to keep Meridian in Eagle Canyon and Sunfall in Bryce Canyon. Thus Sunfall is actually southwest rather than northwest of Meridian. The Carja Sundom would extend across most of the Western Slope in Colorado into most of eastern and southern Utah. With Shatter Kiln (Provo) as its northernmost boundary.

The Sun-Steps – are the first region of the Sundom that Alloy encounters on her journey. In-game it stretches from Arches National Park to what appears to be Horseshoe Bend. However, Horseshoe Bend is too far south for it to make sense as the border, so I have Morning Watch located further north on another bend. Since river bends can form anywhere it is not a stretch to think there is a new bend somewhere else. Over all the Sun-Steps correspond to the Grand Valley in CO.

Free Heap – located within the Sun Steps is Free Heap, an Oseram outpost set up to provide construction material for Meridian. If they are mining for industrial materials from the Old Ones, it would make the most sense for Free Heap to be located on or near Grand Junction CO, which is the largest settlement in the area today.

Gatelands – form the eastern half of the central Carja Sundom. Unlike the rest of the Sundom, this region is relatively easy to map out since most locations have an obvious real-world reference corresponding to Arches and Canyonlands National Parks.

Lone Light had to be relocated since Horseshoe Bend is much further downriver in reality. I placed it in a smaller bend upriver.

Gatelands Bandit Camp - I depicted the Bandint Camps as neutral/independent enclaves within the Sundom, the Gatelands Camp being the largest one of these and corresponding to the entirety of Arches National Park.

The Jewel – the central heartland of the Carja Sundom appears to be based on Monument Valley in present-day Utah and Arizona. However this location would be rather out of the way from Aloy’s journey and it doesn’t fit some of the locations depicted within the Jewel itself (mainly Meridian, which is located in Eagle Canyon). Thus, I thought it made more sense for it to be centered on the eastern Green River Basin along the present-day Carbon, Emery, and Wayne counties. This way Meridian remains in Eagle Canyon and the Spurflints in the San Rafael Reef. The Spearshafts would be a new formation (not present today) somewhere in Canyonlands National Park.

Rustwatch – in-game the Shadow Carja territory is north of the Jewel across from Daybrink (Lake Powell), however since The Jewel is no longer located south of the Lake, Rustwatch and Sunfall are now southeast of the Carja heartland. But Sunfall keeps its location in Bryce Canyon.

The Southern Frontier – in-game Kestrel’s Perch is defined as a fortress built by the fifth Sun King Zavarad as the Sundom expanded north of Daybrink (Lake Powell) into Rustwatch. However because in the real world, Lake Powell is south of what I’ve defined as the Carja heartland, this frontier is now south of Daybrink and Rustwatch.

The Mountain Frontier – Call of the Mountain doesn’t really give many references on where Rising Light and the main route of the game are located, except that it is mountainous and – for the most part – densely wooded. So I opted for the Sundom to have a “Mountain Frontier” along the Wasatch Range. Because the world of Horizon is likely set in a warmer and wetter Earth (due to rising sea levels), the Bonneville and Lahontan Great Lakes have been resurrected east of this range. The former of these acts as The Sundom’s western border and provides the precipitation and rainfall necessary to create forests and jungles in the Colorado Plateau.

Shattered Kiln – a bandit camp near the northern reaches of the Sundom, as in-game it is based on Provo Utah near Maker’s End (Salt Lake City).

The Daunt; the southwestern corner of the Carja Sundom corresponds to Zion National Park. However, Zion is relatively small to fit all the in-game locations. In-game, Zion National Park appears to be the same size as the entirety of Southern Nevada or the California Central Valley. To fit everything in, I extended The Daunt to include the entire Virgin River Basin in Washington County Utah.

Barren Light would then be located with St George, Utah where the Virgin River (and the I-15) cross Bloomington Hills.

Chainscrape and the Redhew Quarry, the Oseram settlement within the Daunt is located along a bit upriver from Barren Light.

The Claim; the Oseram territory is not depicted in-game, however, Pitch Cliff and Free Heap are two Oseram settlements near their border with the Carja Sundom. It is stated that their territory is north of The Sundom and west of The Cut, so it likely corresponds to Idaho, specifically the Snake River Basin.

Pitch Cliff is likely located along the Roan Cliffs, and possibly very near the border between the Claim and the Sundom.

The lands between The Long Roam, the Claim, and the Carja Sundom form an unclaimed region around the present-day Uintah Basin. Oseram traders travel through it and the Carja might have sent some raiders across it, but it remains mostly unpopulated. I shaded this area pink as the Carja might claim it but likely hold no direct control.

No Man’s Land - is the border between the Carja Sundom and the Tenakth Clanlands. No Man’s Land borders are not well defined in-game, but they seem to correspond to the northern shore of Lake Mead, specifically the area around the Overton Arm where the Virgin River meets the Lake. The overall location works for a real-world equivalent, but a few things get shuffled around for them to fit.

Jagged Deep; the eastern bank of the Virgin River was tenuously controlled by the Carja Sundom. What remains is Riverwatch, an abandoned fort on the banks of the Overton Arm, and Jagged Deep an abandoned mine that is now delved by Oseram adventurers. The Carja Camp on the west bank of the Overton Arm is the furthest west Carja settlement.

Eastern Lie & Deadfalls are the westernmost Tenakth settlements closest to the Cajra and Utaru borders, which have been taken by Regalla’s Rebels. In fact, most of the Tenakth side of No Man’s Land is occupied by the rebels.

Spinebreak; in-game Spinebreak is located on the southeastern border between No-Man’s Land and the Tenakth Clanlands proper and built under the ruins of a present-day highway tunnel. The issue is that there are no tunnels – or logical places to put a tunnel – between the Overton Arm and Las Vegas (the Stillsands). I thus place Spinebreak further north on the Virgin River Canyon acting as a second border between Barren Light and the Tenakth camps.

The Utaru Tribal Lands; the Utaru settled in the lands surrounding the Western Grand Array (WGA), which they named Plainsong.

Plainsong, although the WGA is based on the Very Large Array in New Mexico, the VLA is very far from Aloy’s path and the in-game geography. Furthermore just like the Nora take their name from the NORAD Facility and the Tenakth take their name from the Tenth Task Force, I suspect the Utaru take their name from Utah. Thus it is likely that the WGA is not the VLA but rather a new array built somewhere in Southern Utah, between the Carja Sundom and the Desert Clans. With this in mind, I placed Plainsong on the Cedar Valley and worked from there.

Stone’s Echo – Stone’s Echo is an Utaru outpost near the Stillsands, just past No Man’s Land. I placed it along the Meadow Valley Wash, which would likely be a tad more fertile than in the present day. Because we are dealing with what I expect is a warmer and wetter climate due to rising sea levels (and AETHER’s supercell storms going haywire).

Riverhymn – On the northern edge of the Utaru lands lies Riverhymn; the second largest Utaru settlement after Plainsong. In-game it is located in a fairly mountainous corner. So it is likely located near Frisco Peak with the river that passes through it being the Beaver River. However this river flows in the opposite direction that is seen in-game, rather than flowing south towards Plainsong, it flows north into the Sevier Lake.

·Due to the wetter climate, it is possible that the entire Bonneville Basin is once again flooded and Lake Bonneville acts as a boundary between the Utaru, the Carja, the Oseram, and Tenakth Desert Clans but the game map does not go that far north. Regardless I thought it be cool so I opted to depict it as such.

Tenakth Desert Clans; the Desert Clans inhabit most of Southern Nevada. Their territory reaches the present-day Great Basin National Park in the northeast and the Shining Wastes (Death Valley National Park) to the West.

The Stillsands; southwest of the Utaru territory, is another semi-contested region (it is within the Tenakth Desert Clan territory but both major settlement Camp Nowhere and Hidden Ember are Oseram). This is pretty simple since it corresponds to Clark County NV, with Hidden Ember clearly being Las Vegas. I originally had Devil’s Grasp be located in Barstow CA, but opted to place it closer to Las Vegas in Primm.

Dry Yearn; is the easternmost region of the Clanlands. It contains Arrowhand, the second largest Desert Clan settlement, and Restless Weald. It is fairly easy to place since Restless Weald is based in Caliente, NV. With this in mind, I placed Arrowhand over Crystal Springs, NV, and the Dry Yearn Camp just north of Restless Weald.

The Greenswell; is the northernmost region of the Desert Clanlands; it is also the least arid region of the Desert Clans. Part of this can be attributed to the supercell storms, but I also opted to have the core of the territory within the Great Basin National Park, which is a very green area within the Nevada desert, which further explains the area’s climate.

Scalding Spear; centrally located in the Nevada desert, the capital of the Desert Clans is located on the present-day Crescent Dunes Solar Energy Project.

Shining Wastes; is an arid mostly flat expanse of land, which for the most part corresponds to Death Valley National Park. The only problem is that Death Valley is not particularly flat. I included Death Valley, now filled in with a saline lake, within the Shining Wastes but placed the main settlements located further north within the Nevada Desert (which is mostly flat).

Runner’s Wild – a small region in the Desert Clan territory, Runner’s Wild corresponds to Mammoth Lakes in California and acts as a border between the Desert and Sky Clans.

Salt Bite – north of Runner’s Wild this region borders Runner’s Wild and the Greenswell, it is clearly based on Mono Lake in California and the geography easily fits into this location.

Memorial Grove; although the Tenakth are divided into three warring Clans (and Regalla’s Rebels), the Memorial Grove acts as a capital / neutral ground for all three. The Grove is located on a museum and military base – specifically an airforce base – south of Mono Lake. The base does not exist in the present day but could be located anywhere in the Owens Valley. I paced it on Independence, CA (fitting name). Like other areas on the map, the Owens Valley is also much more fertile than in the current day.

Tenakth Sky Clans; northwest of the Memorial Grove the Sky Clans make their home along the Sierra Nevada, specifically Yosemite Valley and the Sierra National Forrest. Not many changes here, but it doesn’t seem like their territory expands much further north than Lake Tahoe (unless it is not depicted).

The Bulwark; the capital of the Skyclans is based on Sentinel Dome in Yosemite Valley, I kept it here and based the rest around it.

Sheerside Mountains; are based on the Sierra Nevada, the region itself corresponds to the northern half of the Sky Clans’ territory. I took Sheerside Climb to be the pass from Mammoth Lakes to Yosemite and assumed Bonewhite Tear and the other settlements would be located along CA Route 120 and the Tuolumne River.

Stand of the Sentinels the southern region of the Sky Clans appears to be based off the Sierra National Forest. Its major settlements follow a pass from Mammoth Lakes to Tide’s Reach (possibly Fresno CA, see below). This suggests that the major settlements are located along the San Joaquin River.

Tenakth Lowland Clans; like the Carja Sundom, the Lowland Clans pose a huge conundrum. The Lowlands seem to consist of the foothills of the Sierras along Kings Canyon National Park and the Sequoia National Forrest towards a coast. This suggests that California’s Central Valley is flooded due to rising sea levels. If this is the case it helps explain why The Long Coast (Bakersfield) is a coast and not inland.However, if this were the case there should be a long peninsula formed from California's Coastal Ranges. But this peninsula is completely absent from the in-game map. Furthermore, Tide’s Reach appears to be based in Oakland, but it is geographically located at the foothills of the Sierra National Forrest. This should be impossible; Oakland would be located on the aforementioned “peninsula” between San Francisco Bay and the “Central Valley Sea”, but this peninsula is nowhere to be found on the map.

I tried my best to come up with a creative solution.

Raintrace – as in-game Raintrace is based on Sequoia National Forrest, Lowland Path and Fall’s Edge are located along CA Route 180 and King’s Canyon, which provide a direct route from the Memorial Grove to the rest of the Lowland Clans’ territory. Fenrise is further south on Isabella Lake where the Kern River valley provides a connection between the Desert Clans and Lowland Clans’ territories.

Tide Reach – I relocated Tide’s Reach to Fresno, CA which is now along the coast of the “Central Valley Sea”. I opted to have it based on Fresno since it provides another large present-day settlement where to base it, and more importantly, it is directly on the path Alloy would take from Stand of the Sentinels. Since Alloy can’t swim from Tide’s Reach to the Isle of Spires (San Francisco) it makes sense to place it further away from the island than Oakland. SF Bay is large, but not large enough for there to be a storm that wrecks Alloy’s raft. To make the route Alloy takes a bit more logical I also broke up the Coastal Ranges north of the Salinas River into an archipelago. I considered sinking the entirety of the Mt Diablo Range, to provide a direct route from Tide’s Reach to the Island, but I thought that would be too much.

The Long Coast – in-game The Long Coast seems to refer to the Pacific Coast, but as already mentioned it also refers to the ruins of Bakersfield CA. Thankfully a flooded Central Valley means we’ve gained a new coast. Thus the Long Coast now refers to the western coast of this inland sea. Thornmash, in-game coordinates suggest it is located near Tracy, CA. but I placed it a little further south on this coast so it forms a triangle with Tide’s Rach and Raintrace Rise and so it is not too close to San Francisco.

Cliffs of the Cry – as in-game the Cliffs correspond to Big Sur and the California Pacific Coast. I opted to have Raintrace West located on the Cliffs (close to San Luis Obispo) since you travel from it to the Zennith Base.

Isle of Spires; is straightforward San Francisco, which is now an island. Alva describes San Francisco as an archipelago, so this helped me further justify the breakup of the Coastal Ranges. Although I realize that such geologic shifts would likely destroy the city of San Francisco itself. This is the suspension of disbelief in a world that has a volcano appear on Yellowstone and New Zealand sink beneath the waves.

Zenith Base; originally I thought about having it located in Monterey however it is south of Tilda’s Mansion, which is in Big Sur. It then seemed fitting to place the Zenith Base in Vandenberg Airforce Base instead.

The Burning Shores; it is LA, which like San Francisco is now an archipelago due to tectonic activity and rising sea levels. This is pretty much explained in-game.

Fleet’s End is located somewhere in the Baldwin Hills, which are now the main island of the “bay”

Pangea Park / Londra Productions is described as being on a peninsula. Because it is partially based on Dinseyland (or Universal Studios) I’ve opted to keep it in Anaheim. To make Anaheim a peninsula I’ve flooded the San Gabriel Valley in the north and Newport Beach in the south.

[tessweaver]

Charged Issue: E-bikes on Maroon Creek Road

Guiding Light: Aspen's outfitters merge

Slam Dink: Pickleball in the Roaring Fork Valley

Community Table

[thorsenmark]

Taking an Image Capture of Photographers...and Maroon Bells by Mark Stevens Via Flickr: An article I read on a photography site mentioned to sometimes turn around or look in a different direction to see what others might not be taking images. In this case, I decided to take a wider angle view of Maroon Bells. I wanted to capture more of the nearby hillsides and mountain peaks, including some of the photographers to my front. I thought the wider angle view including the peaks of Maroon Bells, with a glass-like reflection on the lake waters, the people taking photos, and the nearby hillsides added for a richer, fuller image of the Maroon Creek valley.

[jengajives]

So I know canonically Barahir and Finrod probably never met again after the Bragollach but I just WANT THEM TO

(My personal hc for Barahir and Emeldir is that they’re Gay Besties and her sweetheart died years ago and he never found the man for him but they both really wanted a child so they had Beren and raised him together as friends, and all the people of Dorthonion totally knew what was up but played along anyway.)

Also excuse my Sindarin, i am awful at languages

“My lord.”

The voice seemed deafening in the chamber of Finrod- the quiet space he sulked in when all of Nargothrond’s riches seemed empty and lifeless to him. When the company of his brother, his niece, and all his people just wasn’t enough.

He turned from his tapestry slowly, almost unwilling. If Celegorm and Curufin wanted another counsel, he had run out of excuses to deny them. All he wanted to do was stand around looking at the tapestry of Tirion he kept on the wall to substitute for a proper window.

“What is it?” he asked tiredly, unable even to muster the energy for a proper hello. The attendant bowed anyway.

“It’s the border wardens, your Highness. They’ve apprehended a trespasser on the eastern marches- a Man. He carries your ring, sir. He’s requested an audience.”

It seemed as if everything went utterly still and for several long moments Finrod could not speak.

He had to rub his eyes to ensure he was awake and hearing correctly. This wasn’t just the dream that had haunted him more years now than he could count.

“By all means,” Finrod said in a strangled voice, “bring him before me.”

It isn’t. It can’t be. He’s dead.

The attendant bowed again, all low and respectful. “I’ll let you know as soon as they reach the city, Your Majesty.”

“Yes, yes, thank you.” Finrod wasn’t paying attention properly anymore; he was suddenly very worried about what he was wearing, how he looked. The way he dressed around Nargothrond was very different than his war attire, and it was very concerning when he worried whether Barahir would even be able to recognize him.

No, no. Barahir was dead five winters now. It didn’t matter whether he looked familiar or not, he was dead.

Still, though. There was a chance.

Finrod threw open his wardrobe with something akin to panic.

The woods of Dorthonion were dense and dark, with occasional beams of golden sunlight filtering through the high pine trees and turning the bed of needles to luminous white. There wasn’t too much undergrowth, which made it easy to ride through, and Finrod did so with as much speed as his mare could manage, flying over falling trees and secret glens that few among the Elves had ever looked on, thundering across rushing mountain creeks with all the speed of the Valar. He held his arms out to the wind and let his golden braids flow loose behind him.

When he at last came to the little green valley he’d been directed to, he slowed his mare to a stop and stood there a moment on the ridge. The people of Bëor lived in small homesteads spotted over the highlands, and here a number of them gathered together alongside a cool, fresh creek to graze their animals on its fair grasses. The largest of the wooden homes was nestled just beneath the rolling, forested hills, sheltered by the river’s curve and somewhat apart from the others. It was here Finrod rode, galloping eagerly across the meadows of the basin.

A handful of sturdy horses grazed on the green pasture in front of the house, along with a pair of cows and one freshly-sheared sheep. Finrod rode along the tree-lined lane until he came to the house itself.

It was single-storied, made of finely hewn logs painted with red and gold, and a thatched ceiling that looked freshly lain. On one side stood a small barn for the animals, and on the other a woodshed that had seen better days. Finrod dismounted took a moment to take it all in. A warm smile crossed his face.

At once, the worn blue door opened, and a Man came hurrying out. He was dressed in simple work trousers and a maroon shirt that wasn’t tied all the way and showed off the warm brown hair of his chest, but he was hastily throwing a fur coat over the top of it all as he stumbled down his stairs.

“King Felagund!” he choked, obviously out of breath. Finrod noticed a gleam of gold on his middle finger. “We- I- This is most unexpected!”

“I must apologize for the intrusion, Barahir,” he said with pity. “I was riding back from Hithlum and I became… sidetracked.” Then he smiled again. “I hope it’s not too much trouble?”

“Trouble!” Barahir shook his head a little too energetically. “No trouble at all! It’s just… “ He motioned helplessly to the house behind him. “t’s not much. Certainly nothing like a prince like yourself would-“

“Barahir,” Finrod said, bold enough now to take the Man’s hand in his own. “Your home is beautiful.”

Barahir visibly relaxed. His face went soft.

“It is… very good to see you again, Your Majesty.”

“To you, it’s Finrod.” He gave the hand a squeeze. “You have more than earned that right.”

Barahir’s tawny cheeks went red.

Finrod thought he would have kissed him then, if it had been for the little voice that interrupted them.

“Papa!”

Immediately Finrod straightened up and looked over Barahir’s shoulder to the doorway.

A small, brown face peeked out from inside. Just a beam of light caught on dark curls and turned them shining auburn.

Finrod’s expression went slack for only a moment before the corners of his mouth began to peak upward.

“Who’s this?” he asked eagerly. The child stuck his head out further to show two gleaming dark eyes.

“Are you one of the Valar?” he called, somewhat shyly.

Finrod smiled.

“No, child. Why do you think so?”

The little one gave a sheepish shrug. “You’re glowing.”

“Am I?” Finrod looked down. His tunic was indeed embroidered with gold and there were jewels in his hair. The thought of this innocent child mistaking him for a Vala was a very fond one, though.

“Beren,” Barahir called. “This is King Felagund. He’s a very powerful and noble Elf. Come over here and give a him a nice bow.”

Beren slowly moved onto the steps and made his way over, still cautious. He was wearing a green shirt that was too big for him and clutched a stuffed hound in one hand. Immediately Finrod saw the likeness with Barahir; other than the boy’s darker shade of hair, the two were nearly identical.

Finrod glanced at Barahir as the child approached.

“Yours?”

“Yes, he is.”

When Beren reached his father’s side, he shut his eyes tight and performed a bow so deep he nearly toppled. “At your service, King Felagund, sir!”

Finrod laughed and dropped to one knee so he could look the boy in the eyes. “An honor, Beren, prince of Dorthonion. I could not ask for more steadfast a Man!”

Beren cracked one eye, then the other. He gave a cursory glance to his father, then pointed at the great palomino mare waiting patiently on the lane.

“What’s your horse’s name?”

Barahir clicked his tongue. “Beren, be polite.” Finrod chose to ignore him.

“She is Glânhen, Brighteyes,” he said to Beren, as if he were sharing a secret. “She very much likes to eat. I think she might let you ride her if you find space for her in your pasture.”

The boy’s eyes lit up. “Oh, I can do that, sir!” He squinted up at the horse. “Where’s her bridle?”

“She’ll follow you,” Finrod said. He told the horse something in Quenya and she nickered, and then he straightened to let the bouncing little boy hurry past, motioning to the mare eagerly.

“Follow me, Glânhen! I’ll find you the best grass we’ve got!”

The pair of them trotted off together- the massive steed of Valinor, and the little woodsman’s boy leading her like an obedient pup. Finrod got distracted a moment just smiling at the sight, until Barahir chuckled behind him.

“Well, I… I didn’t know you were fond of children.” He paused, obviously bashful, before he slipped out the name like he thought it might bite him. “Finrod.”

“Very fond. He’s a wonderful boy, Barahir. How old?”

“Five this spring.”

“My.” A wistful smile crossed Finrod’s face. “You must be very proud.”

“I am.” A silence passed, but it was broken when Barahir reached out and took his hand. “Will you come in?”

Finrod turned and the joy he felt looking at that gentle face was unlike anything he’d felt for countless years.

“I would love to.”

Felagund paced his throne room, back and forth, an anxious rhythm like the thudding of his own heartbeat. The tapestries and jewels felt suddenly profane. Would Barahir know him here? Surrounded by wealth and finery and all the glory of the princes of the Noldor?

Of course he would. Barahir would know him anywhere.

But it wasn’t going to be Barahir who walked through his doors. Dead five years at least, cut down in the highlands of Dorthonion all alone and friendless.

Finrod’s fault. He had tried to send help, tried to send forces through to reinforce the outlaws or bring them back, but no one had been able to brave the Haunted Wood. No one could get through. And Barahir had died alone in the mud, because Finrod’s strength had failed.

No. It could be him. He could have escaped. None of the Eldar were there to see him fall. It could be a mistake.

The golden doors swung open.

Finrod turned, suddenly frozen, as a company of his march wardens stepped inside with a Man held between them like some lesser prisoner. He was so thoroughly surrounded that Finrod couldn’t get a good look at him.

“Leave him,” he called, irritation wearing his voice thin. “He is no trespasser here if what I am told is true.”

The wardens bowed, and moved aside, and there in the center of the room stood Barahir son of Bregor with the cares of many lifetimes etched across his face.

The air left Felagund’s lungs.

He looked just as he had the very last time they had seen each other.

Tears blurred his vision, and when he wiped them away, he saw through new eyes, and the Man he saw was not the one he had dreamed of.

The curls were too dark. The build too tall. The face alike in almost every way, but there was something there now that made it painfully obvious Felagund had been mistaken. He deflated at once and collapsed back into his throne, face in his hands, floundering just a moment in defeat.

“King Felagund, sir,” called the Man. “I thank you for your hospitality. I wouldn’t have come if there was any other way, but I need-“ Abruptly, the trembling voice broke on a sob and trailed into tearfulness. “I- I need your help. Please.”

Finrod looked up again and his eyes softened, recognizing the sensitivity behind those eyes. He rose and stepped slowly down until he stood before the Man with pity in his heart and tears running down his face.

He put a hand on the rough-clothed shoulder.

“Beren,” he said softly, as fervent as he could manage. “I will do anything within my power to help you, no matter the cost.”

When Beren at last looked up to meet his eye, it was the same face of the shy woodsman’s son he had met all those years ago, and Finrod decided then that he would go gladly to his death if it would bring Barahir’s son to the fulfillment of his errand.

[thehikingnerd]

Day 141 (10/5).

It was probably the warmest and driest night in what seemed like an eternity. I still had trouble sleeping at times from being cold or uncomfortable, but still not as bad as it has been for a while. It was nice to wake up drier than when I went to sleep for a change. I heard a vehicle pull into the gravel parking lot and quickly got out of the tent. My hope was if they were locals they might be willing to give us an early ride into town for free, if we so were lucky. I spoke with the couple that got out of the truck briefly and they were parking there and doing a day hike on the PCT. They were nice, but no dice on the ride... then I saw the lady point and say something about all the fish as they looked down at the stream and I remembered reading in the Guthooks comments that the salmon were bedding/running in this river. After the couple left, I walked onto the bridge and looked over the edge to see all kinds of salmon swimming in the shallow water below. They were a dark red/maroon with olive green heads; their bodies deteriorating from the exertion it took to get them back here, far upstream from the ocean... focusing on the pain in my feet and knees, all of a sudden I felt some connection with them and their journey. I came back just as Butt'rs emerged from his tent and and we packed up. Another vehicle came and it was a work truck that pulled up next to the house there and it looked like he was going to be there a while so I didn't ask about a potential ride into town. Besides, we were starting to get close to the time the bus would arrive. I laid some clothes out to dry as we waited and it wasn't too long before the big red shuttle bus pulled up. We saw Will get off the bus and chatted with him and the driver for a bit. Will told us he had gotten in the day before and comped near the campground for free. He also had a new sleeping pad and said that he had gone the last week or two without a sleeping pad! My jaw dropped hearing this. I don't know how this kid didn't freeze, and just remembering how crappy it had been on me, I couldn't imagine how bad it was for him on the ground! I seriously don't know how he did it. He said he boiled water in his tent one night to keep warm, but I don't know how that really helped with all the condensation that would have caused. Crazy! We got on the bus and rode it into Stehekin with a stop off at their praised bakery (seemed just normal bakery to me but I'm not big on pastries and such) but I was starving and hadn't eaten anything since before dark the night before... so I got a latte a huge sticky bun and a doughnut. It was all good but not sure if it was rave worthy. I was feeling much better free food and coffee though, and we got back on the bus and went into the "town". We arrived at around 11am and had to get everything done by the time the bus left for its second and last round trip of the day which left at 2:30pm or so... so not much time to do everything we wanted. We went into the store there and I paid $15 for access to their WiFi and it was barely functional it was so slow. I took care of a few things online and then went with Butt'rs to the post office to pick up his resupply box and for us to both get a money order that we would then need to cash at the general store because this was the only way to get cash in the town (no ATM) and we needed cash for some things like laundry. We thought about it and decided no matter how fast we were we didn't have time to do laundry and take showers like we had wanted, but we really wanted cleans socks and to dry and few other items out so we washed our socks in the bathroom sink and then took them and put them in the dryer. I came back to the store and chose among a crappy overpriced selection for my next 4 days or so, which would also be the last leg of our hike before reaching Canada. This meant a lot of $.70 top ramen, peanut butter/Nutella and tortillas, some Snickers bars, some crackers, sardines, and chips... it wasn't looking great but would be enough to get me through... and I needed a new fuel canister, but they only had the huge ones which were $12 each and I didn't really have much of a choice. I will probably still be using this one for the next 3 years back in KY if they let me fly home with it, lol. Also, I got 3 cans of beer since they didn't have any hard alcohol for celebrating at the terminus (Butt'rs got a bottle of wine), which meant more heavy weight to carry for the last leg, and finally we paid for the round trip bus fare... all together this ran me like $80 or $90! That's not even counting the laundry or the WiFi, but I had little choice, what can you do? We packed our food away and went to the restaurant next store where I grabbed a cheeseburger and fries and we charged our batteries while we ate. The only good part about not having signal is that my phone was only needed as a map and camera and didn't use much over the past 5 days. By the time we finished eating we barely had enough time to get our laundry and finish packing up before the bus was beginning to load up. We finally met another hiker named Symba, and determined that he was the guy whose tracks we had followed for the last 3 days or so. He seemed cool and nice, but I just didn't have much time to get to know him before we were back on the bus and heading to the trail. It was all-in-all an effective and efficient in and out of town where everything that needed to happen got taken care of, and we were back at the high bridge by the afternoon. We both had to rearrange our things since they were just shoved in due to the rush. While rearranging, a nice guy from Sweden made us some coffee with his aeropress. That was nice, especially since we didn't buy any coffee in town and I was down to just one packet of Starbucks instant coffee. He even gave us like six scoops and put in a ziplock for us. Nice! We now had coffee even if we would have to just drink it cowboy style (just mixed in and not filtered). It was probably about 3:30pm or so when we headed back out and had to climb feeling all this new weight on our backs. It was slow going, but we had decided to just make it to a campsite called "Six Mile" that was about 11 miles in. We passed through a pretty great looking campsite early on. It even had canvas tents and a cabin, but it was too soon to stop. We got to the site a little after dark as the days were getting noticeably short. We walked down to the camp and it got much colder because it was a small valley with a creek flowing through. We had smelled a campfire and were a little hopeful for what that might mean. We walked into the camp and found 3 guys around a campfire with a cute black lab. We set up camp and chatted a little, but I finally asked if they minded if we shared in their fire, it had gotten really cold really fast. They let us warm up around their fire, and we talked as we cooked our dinners. We told them about thru hiking and they told us they were on a trout fishing trip and hiking from spot to spot doing like 6 miles in a day. They went to sleep and after dinner and then we did too... even though it was very very hard to leave that warm fire.

[mellifera38]

Mel’s Big Fantasy Place-Name Reference

So I’ve been doing lots of D&D world-building lately and I’ve kind of been putting together lists of words to help inspire new fantasy place names. I figured I’d share. These are helpful for naming towns, regions, landforms, roads, shops, and they’re also probably useful for coming up with surnames. This is LONG. There’s plenty more under the cut including a huge list of “fantasy sounding” word-parts. Enjoy!

Towns & Kingdoms

town, borough, city, hamlet, parish, township, village, villa, domain

kingdom, empire, nation, country, county, city-state, state, province, dominion

Town Name End Words (English flavored)

-ton, -ston, -caster, -dale, -den, -field, -gate, -glen, -ham, -holm, -hurst, -bar, -boro, -by, -cross, -kirk, -meade, -moore, -ville, -wich, -bee, -burg, -cester, -don, -lea, -mer, -rose, -wall, -worth, -berg, -burgh, -chase, -ly, -lin, -mor, -mere, -pool. -port, -stead, -stow, -strath, -side, -way, -berry, -bury, -chester, -haven, -mar, -mont, -ton, -wick, -meet, -heim, -hold, -hall, -point

Buildings & Places

castle, fort, palace, fortress, garrison, lodge, estate, hold, stronghold, tower, watchtower, palace, spire, citadel, bastion, court, manor, house

altar, chapel, abbey, shrine, temple, monastery, cathedral, sanctum, crypt, catacomb, tomb

orchard, arbor, vineyard, farm, farmstead, shire, garden, ranch

plaza, district, quarter, market, courtyard, inn, stables, tavern, blacksmith, forge, mine, mill, quarry, gallows, apothecary, college, bakery, clothier, library, guild house, bath house, pleasure house, brothel, jail, prison, dungeon, cellar, basement, attic, sewer, cistern

lookout, post, tradepost, camp, outpost, hovel, hideaway, lair, nook, watch, roost, respite, retreat, hostel, holdout, redoubt, perch, refuge, haven, alcove, haunt, knell, enclave, station, caravan, exchange, conclave

port, bridge, ferry, harbor, landing, jetty, wharf, berth, footbridge, dam, beacon, lighthouse, marina, dockyard, shipyard

road, street, way, row, lane, trail, corner, crossing, gate, junction, waygate, end, wall, crossroads,  barrier, bulwark, blockade, pavilion, avenue, promenade, alley, fork, route

Time & Direction

North, South, East, West, up, down, side, rise, fall, over, under

Winter, Spring, Summer, Autumn, solstice, equanox, vernal, ever, never

dusk, dawn, dawnrise, morning, night, nightfall, evening, sundown, sunbreak, sunset

lunar, solar, sun, moon, star, eclipse

Geographical Terms

Cave, cavern, cenote, precipice, crevasse, crater, maar, chasm, ravine, trench, rift, pit

Cliff, bluff, crag, scarp, outcrop, stack, tor, falls, run, eyrie, aerie

Hill, mountain, volcano, knoll, hillock, downs, barrow, plateau, mesa, butte, pike, peak, mount, summit, horn, knob, pass, ridge, terrace, gap, point, rise, rim, range, view, vista, canyon, hogback, ledge, stair, descent

Valley, gulch, gully, vale, dale, dell, glen, hollow, grotto, gorge, bottoms, basin, knoll, combe

Meadow, grassland, field, pasture, steppe, veld, sward, lea, mead, fell, moor, moorland, heath, croft, paddock, boondock, prairie, acre, strath, heights, mount, belt

Woodlands, woods, forest, bush, bower, arbor, grove, weald, timberland, thicket, bosk, copse, coppice, underbrush, hinterland, park, jungle, rainforest, wilds, frontier, outskirts

Desert, dunes, playa, arroyo, chaparral, karst, salt flats, salt pan, oasis, spring, seep, tar pit, hot springs, fissure, steam vent, geyser, waste, wasteland, badland, brushland, dustbowl, scrubland

Ocean, sea, lake, pond, spring, tarn, mere, sluice, pool, coast, gulf, bay

Lagoon, cay, key, reef, atoll, shoal, tideland, tide flat, swale, cove, sandspit, strand, beach

Snowdrift, snowbank, permafrost, floe, hoar, rime, tundra, fjord, glacier, iceberg

River, stream, creek, brook, tributary, watersmeet, headwater, ford, levee, delta, estuary, firth, strait, narrows, channel, eddy, inlet, rapids, mouth, falls

Wetland, marsh, bog, fen, moor, bayou, glade, swamp, banks, span, wash, march, shallows, mire, morass, quag, quagmire, everglade, slough, lowland, sump, reach

Island, isle, peninsula, isthmus, bight, headland, promontory, cape, pointe, cape

More under the cut including: Color words, Animal/Monster related words, Rocks/Metals/Gems list, Foliage, People groups/types, Weather/Environment/ Elemental words, Man-made Items, Body Parts, Mechanical sounding words, a huge list of both pleasant and unpleasant Atmospheric Descriptors, and a huge list of Fantasy Word-parts.

Color Descriptions

Warm: red, scarlet, crimson, rusty, cerise, carmine, cinnabar, orange, vermillion, ochre, peach, salmon, saffron, yellow, gold, lemon, amber, pink, magenta, maroon, brown, sepia, burgundy, beige, tan, fuchsia, taupe

Cool: green, beryl, jade, evergreen, chartreuse, olive, viridian, celadon, blue, azure, navy, cerulean, turquoise, teal, cyan, cobalt, periwinkle, beryl, purple, violet, indigo, mauve, plum

Neutral: gray, silver, ashy, charcoal, slate, white, pearly, alabaster, ivory, black, ebony, jet

dark, dusky, pale, bleached, blotchy, bold, dappled, lustrous, faded, drab, milky, mottled, opaque, pastel, stained, subtle, ruddy, waxen, tinted, tinged, painted

Animal / Monster-Related Words

Bear, eagle, wolf, serpent, hawk, horse, goat, sheep, bull, raven, crow, dog, stag, rat, boar, lion, hare, owl, crane, goose, swan, otter, frog, toad, moth, bee, wasp, beetle, spider, slug, snail, leech, dragonfly, fish, trout, salmon, bass, crab, shell, dolphin, whale, eel, cod, haddock

Dragon, goblin, giant, wyvern, ghast, siren, lich, hag, ogre, wyrm, kraken

Talon, scale, tusk, hoof, mane, horn, fur, feather, fang, wing, whisker, bristle, paw, tail, beak, claw, web, quill, paw, maw, pelt, haunch, gill, fin,

Hive, honey, nest, burrow, den, hole, wallow

Rocks / Metals / Minerals

Gold, silver, brass, bronze, copper, platinum, iron, steel, tin, mithril, electrum, adamantite, quicksilver, fool’s gold, titanium

Diamond, ruby, emerald, sapphire, topaz, opal, pearl, jade, jasper, onyx, citrine, aquamarine, turquoise, lapiz lazuli, amethyst, quartz, crystal, amber, jewel

Granite, shale, marble, limestone, sandstone, slate, diorite, basalt, rhyolite, obsidian, glass

Earth, stone, clay, sand, silt, salt, mote, lode, vein, ore, ingot, coal, boulder, bedrock, crust, rubble, pebble, gravel, cobble, dust, clod, peat, muck mud, slip, loam, dirt, grit, scree, shard, flint, stalactite/mite

Trees / Plants / Flowers

Tree, ash, aspen, pine, birch, alder, willow, dogwood, oak, maple, walnut,  chestnut, cedar, mahogany, palm, beech, hickory, hemlock, cottonwood, hawthorn, sycamore, poplar, cypress, mangrove, elm, fir, spruce, yew

Branch, bough, bramble, gnarl, burr, tangle, thistle, briar, thorn, moss, bark, shrub, undergrowth, overgrowth, root, vine, bracken, reed, driftwood, coral, fern, berry, bamboo, nectar, petal, leaf, seed, clover, grass, grain, trunk, twig, canopy, cactus, weed, mushroom, fungus

Apple, olive, apricot, elderberry, coconut, sugar, rice, wheat, cotton, flax, barley, hops, onion, carrot, turnip, cabbage, squash, pumpkin, pepper

Flower, rose, lavender, lilac, jasmine, jonquil, marigold, carnelian, carnation, goldenrod, sage, wisteria, dahlia, nightshade, lily, daisy, daffodil, columbine, amaranth, crocus, buttercup, foxglove, iris, holly, hydrangea, orchid, snowdrop, hyacinth, tulip, yarrow, magnolia, honeysuckle, belladonna, lily pad, magnolia

People

Settler, Pilgrim, Pioneer, Merchant, Prospector, Maker, Surveyor, Mason, Overseer, Apprentice, Widow, Sailor, Miner, Blacksmith, Butcher, Baker, Brewer, Barkeep, Ferryman, Hangman, Gambler, Fisherman, Adventurer, Hero, Seeker, Hiker, Traveler, Crone

Mage, Magician, Summoner, Sorcerer, Wizard, Conjurer, Necromancer, 

King, Queen, Lord, Count, Baron, Guard, Soldier, Knight, Vindicator, Merchant, Crusader, Imperator, Syndicate, Vanguard, Champion, Warden, Victor, Legionnaire, Master, Archer, Footman, Gladiator, Barbarian, Captain, Commodore, 

Beggar, Hunter, Ranger, Deadman, Smuggler, Robber, Swindler, Rebel, Bootlegger, Outlaw, Pirate, Brigand, Ruffian, Highwayman, Cutpurse, Thief, Assassin

God, Goddess, Exarch, Angel, Devil, Demon, Cultist, Prophet, Hermit, Seer

council, clergy, guild, militia, choir 

Climate, Environment, & The Elements

Cold, cool, brisk, frosty, chilly, icy, freezing, frozen, frigid, glacial, bitter, biting, bleak, arctic, polar, boreal, wintry, snowy, snow, blizzarding, blizzard, sleeting, sleet, chill, frost, ice, icebound, ice cap, floe, snowblind, frostbite, coldsnap, avalanche, snowflake

Hot, sunny, humid, sweltering, steaming, boiling, sizzling, blistering, scalding, smoking, caldescent, dry, parched, arid, fallow, thirsty, melting, molten, fiery, blazing, burning, charring, glowing, searing, scorching, blasted, sun, fire, heat, flame, wildfire, bonfire, inferno, coal, ash, cinder, ember, flare, pyre, tinder, kindling, aflame, alight, ablaze, lava, magma, slag,

Wet, damp, dank, soggy, sodden, soaked, drenched, dripping, sopping, briny, murky, rain, storm, hail, drizzle, sprinkle, downpour, deluge, squall, water, cloud, fog, mist, dew, puddle, pool, current, whirlpool, deep, depths, tide, waves, whitewater, waterfall, tidal wave, flow, flood, leak, drain

Wind, breeze, gust, billow, gail, draft, waft, zephyr, still, airy, clear, smokey, tempest, tempestuous, windswept, aerial, lofty, torrid, turbulent, nebulous, tradewind, thunder, lightning, spark, cyclone, tornado, whirlwind, hurricane, typhoon

Man-made Item Words

Furnace, forge, anvil, vault, strap, strip, whetstone, brick, sword, blade, axe, dagger, shield, buckler, morningstar, bow, quiver, arrow, polearm, flail, staff, stave, sheath, hilt, hammer, knife, helm, mantle, banner, pauldron, chainmail, mace, dart, cutlass, canon, needle, cowl, belt,  buckle, bandana, goggles, hood, boot, heel, spindle, spool, thread, sweater, skirt, bonnet, apron, leather, hide, plate, tunic, vest, satin, silk, wool, velvet, lace, corset, stocking, binding

Plow, scythe, (wheel) barrow, saddle, harrow, brand, collar, whip, leash, lead, bridle, stirrup, wheel, straw, stall, barn, hay, bale, pitchfork, well, log, saw, lumber, sod, thatch, mortar, brick, cement, concrete, pitch, pillar, window, fountain, door, cage, spoke, pole, table, bench, plank, board

Candle, torch, cradle, broom, lamp, lantern, clock, bell, lock, hook, trunk, looking glass, spyglass, bottle, vase, locket, locker, key, handle, rope, knot, sack, pocket, pouch, manacle, chain, stake, coffin, fan. cauldron, kettle, pot, bowl, pestle, oven, ladle, spoon, font, wand, potion, elixir, draught, portal, book, tome, scroll, word, manuscript, letter, message, grimoire, map, ink, quill, pen, cards, dice

Coin, coronet, crown, circlet, scepter, treasure, riches, scales, pie, tart, loaf, biscuit, custard, caramel, pudding, porridge, stew, bread, tea, gravy, gristle, spice, lute, lyre, harp, drum, rouge, powder, perfume, brush

bilge, stern, pier, sail, anchor, mast, dock, deck, flag, ship, boat, canoe, barge, wagon, sled, carriage, buggy, cart

Wine, brandy, whiskey, ale, moonshine, gin, cider, rum, grog, beer, brew, goblet, flagon, flask, cask, tankard, stein, mug, barrel, stock, wort, malt

Body Parts

Head, throat, finger, foot, hand, neck, shoulder, rib, jaw, eye, lips, bosom

Skull, spine, bone, tooth, heart, blood, tears, gut, beard

Mechanical-Sounding Words

cog, fuse, sprocket, wrench, screw, nail, bolt, lever, pulley, spanner, gear, spring, shaft, switch, button, cast, pipe, plug, dial, meter, nozzle, cord, brake, gauge, coil, oil, signal, wire, fluke, staple, clamp, bolt, nut, bulb, patch, pump, cable, socket

torque, force, sonic, spark, fizzle, thermal, beam, laser, steam, buzz, mega, mecha, electro, telsa, power, flicker, charge, current, flow, tinker

Atmospheric Words

Unpleasant, Dangerous, Threatening

(nouns) death, fury, battle, scar, shadow, razor, nightmare, wrath, bone, splinter, peril, war, riptide, strife, reckoning, sorrow, terror, deadwood, nether, venom, grime, rage, void, conquest, pain, folly, revenge, horrid, mirk, shear, fathom, frenzy, corpselight/marshlight, reaper, gloom, doom, torment, torture, spite, grizzled, sludge, refuse, spore, carrion, fear, pyre, funeral, shade, beast, witch, grip, legion, downfall, ruin, plague, woe, bane, horde, acid, fell, grief, corpse, mildew, mold, miter, dirge

(adjectives) dead, jagged, decrepit, fallen, darkened, blackened, dire, grim, feral, wild, broken, desolate, mad, lost, under, stagnant, blistered, derelict, forlorn, unbound, sunken, fallow, shriveled, wayward, bleak, low, weathered, fungal, last, brittle, sleepy, -strewn, dusky, deserted, empty, barren, vacant, forsaken, bare, bereft, stranded, solitary, abandoned, discarded, forgotten, deep, abysmal, bottomless, buried, fathomless,unfathomable, diseased, plagued, virulent, noxious, venomous, toxic, fetid, revolting, putrid, rancid, foul, squalid, sullied, vile, blighted, vicious, ferocious, dangerous, savage, cavernous, vast, yawning, chasmal, echoing, dim, dingy, gloomy, inky, lurid, shaded, shadowy, somber, sunless, tenebrous, unlit, veiled, hellish, accursed, sulfurous, damned, infernal, condemned, doomed, wicked, sinister, dread, unending, spectral, ghostly, haunted, eldritch, unknown, weary, silent, hungry, cloven, acidic

(verb/adverbs): wither (withering / withered), skulk (skulking), whisper, skitter, chitter, sting, slither, writhe, gape, screech, scream, howl, lurk, roil, twist, shift, swarm, spawn, fester, bleed, howl, shudder, shrivel, devour, swirl, maul, trip, smother, weep, shatter, ruin, curse, ravage, hush, rot, drown, sunder, blister, warp, fracture, die, shroud, fall, surge, shiver, roar, thunder, smolder, break, silt, slide, lash, mourn, crush, wail, decay, crumble, erode, decline, reek, lament, taint, corrupt, defile, poison, infect, shun, sigh, sever, crawl, starve, grind, cut, wound, bruise, maim, stab, bludgeon, rust, mutilate, tremble, stumble, fumble, clank, clang

Pleasant, Safe, Neutral

(nouns) spirit, luck, soul, oracle, song, sky, smile, rune, obelisk, cloud, timber, valor, triumph, rest, dream, thrall, might, valiance, glory, mirror, life, hope, oath, serenity, sojourn, god, hearth, crown, throne, crest, guard, rise, ascent, circle, ring, twin, vigil, breath, new, whistle, grasp, snap, fringe, threshold, arch, cleft, bend, home, fruit, wilds, echo, moonlight, sunlight, starlight, splendor, vigilance, honor, memory, fortune, aurora, paradise, caress

(adjectives) gentle, pleasant, prosperous, peaceful, sweet, good, great, mild, grand, topic, lush, wild, abundant, verdant, sylvan, vital, florid, bosky, callow, verdurous, lucious, fertile, spellbound, captivating, mystical, hidden, arcane, clandestine, esoteric, covert, cryptic, runic, otherworldly, touched, still, fair, deep, quiet, bright, sheer, tranquil, ancient, light, far, -wrought, tidal, royal, shaded, swift, true, free, high, vibrant, pure, argent, hibernal, ascendant, halcyon, silken, bountiful, gilded, colossal, massive, stout, elder, -bourne, furrowed, happy, merry, -bound, loud, lit, silk, quiet, bright, luminous, shining, burnished, glossy, brilliant, lambent, lucent, lustrous, radiant, resplendent, vivid, vibrant, illuminated, silvery, limpid, sunlit, divine, sacred, holy, eternal, celestial, spiritual, almighty, anointed, consecrated, exalted, hallowed, sanctified, ambrosial, beatific, blissful, demure, naked, bare, ample, coy,  deific, godly, omnipotent, omnipresent, rapturous, sacramental, sacrosanct, blessed, majestic, iridescent, glowing, overgrown, dense, hard, timeless, sly, scatter, everlasting, full, half, first, last

(verb/adverbs) arch (arching / arched), wink (winking), sing, nestle, graze, stroll, roll, flourish, bloom, bud, burgeon, live, dawn, hide, dawn, run, pray, wake, laugh, wake, glimmer, glitter, drift, sleep, tumble, bind, arch, blush, grin, glister, beam, meander, wind, widen, charm, bewitch, enthrall, entrance, enchant, allure, beguile, glitter, shimmer, sparkle twinkle, crest, quiver, slumber, herald, shelter, leap, click, climb, scuttle, dig, barter, chant, hum, chime, kiss, flirt, tempt, tease, play, seduce

Generic “Fantasy-Sounding” Word Parts

A - D

aaz, ada, adaer, adal, adar, adbar, adir, ae, ael, aer, aern, aeron, aeryeon, agar, agis, aglar, agron, ahar, akan, akyl, al, alam, alan, alaor, ald, alea, ali, alir, allyn, alm, alon, alor, altar, altum, aluar, alys, amar, amaz, ame, ammen, amir, amol, amn, amus, anar, andor, ang, ankh, ar, ara, aram, arc, arg, arian, arkh, arla, arlith, arn, arond, arthus, arum, arvien, ary, asha, ashyr, ask, assur, aster, astra, ath, athor, athra, athryn, atol, au, auga, aum, auroch, aven, az, azar, baal, bae, bael, bak, bal, balor, ban, bar, bara, barr, batol, batar, basir, basha, batyr, bel, belph, belu, ben, beo, bere, berren, berun, besil, bezan, bhaer, bhal, blask, blis, blod, bor, boraz, bos, bran, brath, braun, breon, bri, bry, bul, bur, byl, caer, cal, calan, cara, cassa, cath, cela, cen, cenar, cerul, chalar, cham, chion, cimar, clo, coram, corel, corman, crim, crom, daar, dach, dae, dago, dagol, dahar, dala, dalar, dalin, dam, danas, daneth, dannar, dar, darian,  darath, darm, darma, darro, das, dasa, dasha, dath, del, delia, delimm, dellyn, delmar, delo, den, dess, dever, dhaer, dhas, dhaz, dhed, dhin, din, dine, diar, dien, div, djer, dlyn, dol, dolan, doon, dora, doril, doun, dral, dranor, drasil, dren, drian, drien, drin, drov, druar, drud, duald, duatha, duir, dul, dulth, dun, durth, dyra, dyver,

E - H

ea, eber, eden, edluk, egan, eiel, eilean, ejen, elath, eld, eldor, eldra, elith emar, ellesar, eltar, eltaran, elth, eltur, elyth, emen, empra, emril, emvor, ena, endra, enthor, erad, erai, ere, eriel, erith, erl, eron, erre, eryn, esk, esmel, espar, estria, eta, ethel, eval, ezro, ezan, ezune, ezil, fael, faelar, faern, falk, falak, farak, faril, farla, fel, fen, fenris, fer, fet, fin, finar, forel, folgun, ful, fulk, fur, fyra, fallon, gael, gach, gabir, gadath, gal, galar, gana, gar, garth, garon, garok, garne, gath, geir, gelden, geren,  geron, ghal, ghallar, ghast, ghel, ghom, ghon, gith, glae, glander, glar, glym, gol, goll, gollo, goloth, gorot, gost, goth, graeve, gran, grimm, grist, grom, grosh, grun, grym, gual, guil, guir, gulth, gulur, gur, gurnth, gwaer, haa, hael, haer, hadar, hadel, hakla, hala, hald, halana, halid, hallar, halon, halrua, halus, halvan, hamar, hanar, hanyl, haor, hara, haren, haresk, harmun, harrokh, harrow, haspur, haza, hazuth, heber,  hela, helve, hem, hen, herath, hesper, heth, hethar, hind, hisari, hjaa, hlath, hlond, hluth, hoarth, holtar, horo, hotun, hrag, hrakh, hroth, hull, hyak, hyrza

I - M

iibra, ilth, ilus, ilira, iman, imar, imas, imb, imir, immer, immil, imne, impil, ingdal, innar, ir, iriae, iril, irith, irk, irul, isha, istis, isil, itala, ith, ithal, itka, jada, jae, jaeda, jahaka, jala, jarra, jaro, jath, jenda, jhaamm, jhothm, jinn, jinth, jyn, kado, kah, kal, kalif, kam, kana, kara, karg, kars, karth, kasp, katla, kaul, kazar, kazr, kela, kelem, kerym, keth, keva, kez, kezan, khaer, khal, khama, khaz, khara, khed, khel, khol, khur, kil, kor, korvan, koll, kos, kir, kra, kul, kulda, kund, kyne, lae, laen, lag, lan, lann, lanar, lantar, lapal, lar, laran, lareth, lark, lath, lauth, lav, lavur, lazar, leih, leshyr, leth, lhaza, lhuven, liad, liam, liard, lim, lin, lirn, lisk, listra, lith, liya, llair, llor, lok, lolth, loran, lorkh, lorn, loth, lothen, luen, luir, luk, lund, lur, luth, lyndus, lyra, lyth, maal, madrasm maera, maer, maerim, maes, mag, magra, mahand, mal, malar, mald, maldo, mar, mara, mark, marl, maru, maruk, meir, melish, memnon, mer, metar, methi, mhil, mina, mir, miram, mirk, mista, mith, moander, mok, modir, modan, mon, monn, mor, more, morel, moril, morn, moro, morrow, morth, mort, morum, morven, muar, mul, mydra, myr, myra, myst

N - S

naar, nadyra, naedyr, naga, najar, nal, naal, nalir, nar, naruk, narbond, narlith, narzul, nasaq, nashkel, natar, nath, natha, neir, neth, nether, nhall, nikh, nil, nilith, noan, nolvurm nonthal, norda, noro, novul, nul, nur, nus, nyan, nyth, ober, odra, oghr, okoth, olleth, olodel, omgar, ondath, onthril, ordul, orish, oroch, orgra, orlim, ormath, ornar, orntath, oroch, orth, orva, oryn, orzo, ostel, ostor, ostrav, othea, ovar, ozod, ozul, palan, palad, pae, peldan, pern, perris, perim, pele, pen, phail, phanda, phara, phen, phendra, pila, pinn, pora, puril, pur, pyra, qadim, quar, quel, ques, quil, raah, rael, ran, ranna, rassil, rak, rald, rassa, reddan, reith, relur, ren, rendril, resil, reska, reth, reven, revar, rhy, rhynn, ria, rian, rin, ris, rissian, rona, roch, rorn, rora, rotha, rual, ruar, ruhal, ruil, ruk, runn, rusk, ryn, saa, saar, saal, sabal, samar, samrin, sankh, sar, sarg, sarguth, sarin, sarlan, sel, seld, sember, semkh, sen, sendrin, septa, senta, seros, shaar, shad, shadra, shae, shaen, shaera, shak, shalan, sham, shamath, shan, shana, sharan, shayl, shemar, shere, shor, shul, shyll, shyr, sidur, sil, silvan, sim, sintar, sirem, skar, skell, skur, skyr, sokol, solan, sola, somra, sor, ssin, stel, strill, suldan, sulk, sunda, sur, surkh, suth, syl, sylph, sylune, syndra, syth

T - Z

taak, taar, taer, tah, tak, tala, talag, talar, talas, talath, tammar, tanar, tanil, tar, tara, taran, tarl, tarn, tasha, tath, tavil, telar, teld, telf, telos, tempe, tethy, tezir, thaar, thaer, thal, thalag, thalas, thalan, thalar, thamor, thander, thangol, thar, thay, thazal, theer, theim, thelon, thera, thendi, theril, thiir, thil, thild, thimir, thommar, thon, thoon, thor, thran, thrann, threl, thril, thrul, thryn, thuk, thultan, thume, thun, thy, thyn, thyr, tir, tiras, tirum, tohre, tol, tolar, tolir,  tolzrin, tor, tormel, tormir, traal, triel, trith, tsath, tsur, tul, tur, turiver, turth, tymor, tyr, uder, udar, ugoth, uhr, ukh, ukir, uker, usten, ulgarth, ulgoth, ultir, ulur, umar, umath, umber, unara, undro, undu, untha, upir, ur, ursa, ursol, uron, uth, uthen, uz, van, vaar, vaelan, vaer, vaern, val valan, valash, vali, valt, vandan, vanede, vanrak, var, varyth, vassa, vastar, vaunt, vay, vel, velar, velen, velius, vell, velta, ven, veren, vern, vesper, vilar, vilhon, vintor, vir, vira, virdin, volo, volun, von, voon, vor, voro, vos, vosir, vosal, vund, war, wara, whel, wol, wynn, wyr, wyrm, xer, xul, xen, xian, yad, yag, yal, yar, yath, yeon, yhal, yir, yirar, yuir, yul, yur, zail, zala, zalhar, zan, zanda, zar, zalar, zarach, zaru, zash, zashu, zemur, zhent, zim, ziram, zindala, zindar, zoun, zul, zurr, zuth, zuu, zym

A lot of places are named after historical events, battles, and people, so keep that in mind. God/Goddess names tied to your world also work well. Places are also often named after things that the area is known for, like Georgia being known for its peaches.

My brain was fried by the end of this so feel free to add more!

I hope you find this reference helpful and good luck world-building!

-Mel

[fatehbaz]

Biogeography of unique shade-loving, cliff-dwelling French’s shootingstar of the central hardoowds forests of North America, and its isolated presence in Alabama:

Photo 1: French’s Shootingstar - Dodecatheon frenchii - under a sandstone overhang in Shawnee National Forest, southern Illinois. (Source.) Photo 2: A colony of the plant in typical habitat under an overhang at Devil’s Hollow in Cane Creek Canyon Nature Preserve in Alabama. (Source.)

Text from R. Scot Duncan’s Southern Wonder: Alabama’s Surprising Biodiversity:

Within the deep canyons of Little Mountain is found French’s Shootingstar, a lovely little plant whose presence in northwestern Alabama is linked to an ancient coastline. Early each spring, the shootingstar emerges from dormancy and grows low to the ground. By late spring, older plants will develop a thin stalk several inches long on which hang several delicate flowers. At the base of each petal is a strip of deep maroon bordered in yellow, but the rest of the petal is an immaculate white turning pink with age. The flower strongly recurves its petals skyward while aiming its pistil and stamens downward. As the name suggests, the overall display could resemble a meteorite streaking earthward.

However, these shootingstars will never see the sky, for they live exclusively beneath the lip of sandstone overhangs provided by the Cumberland Acidic Cliff and Rockhouse ecosystem. Why the shootingstar lives here is clear: light is so scarce and the soils can be so dry that virtually no other vascular plants vie for this habitat. What’s more, the rockhouse protects the plants from erosion and being smothered by the thick mats of leaf litter accumulating on the forest floor just a few feet away. [...] How rockhouses came to be in [northern Alabama] takes us back to 340 million years ago [...] when [...] the area that is now the Southwestern Appalachians [...] was a shallow tropical sea. [...] Just offshore, sands accumulated as a chain of barrier islands like those along the Gulf Coast. This island chain became a thick rock formation dubbed the Harstelle Sandstone.

The Pride Mountain and Hartselle Sandstone formations breach the surface of northern Alabama in several locales, but nowhere as prominently as in the Little Mountain ecoregion of the Interior Plateau. [...] The dry, sandy soils on the caprock sustain the Southern Interior Low Plateau Dry-Mesic Oak Forest that was once widespread in [the Deep South’s interior plateau region]. [...] The most intriguing ecosystems of Little Mountain occupy the valleys and canyons weaving through these hills. These sheltered slopes harbor another variation of the [the Deep South’s wetter interior mesophytic forests] and hundreds of animals and plants rare elsewhere in the Southeast. Among them are orchids, lilies, azaleas, American Ginseng, Goldenseal, American Columbo, Bosch’s Filmy Fern, Eastern Leatherwood, and Kentucky Yellowood, to name a few. [...] There’s so much plant diversity that plant enthusiasts return to Little Mountain year after year. The rockhouse homes of French’s Shootingstar occupy the steepest slops of Little Mountains canyons. They form because [...] softer and lower rocks of Pride Mountain Formation erode first, while the upper and harder Harstelle Sandstone yields more slowly. These differential rates of erosion create the overhangs. [...]

French’s Shootingstar is known from Arkansas and four Midwestern states, but its presence in Alabama is a biogeographical puzzle. None of Alabama’s neighboring states have populations. What’s more, Alabama’s only population is on Little Mountain, despite the proximity of rockhouses a dozen miles away in the Dissected Plateau ecoregion. For whatever reason, this little plant survives in Alabama thanks to those barrier islands from long, long ago.

The Shooting Star Cliffs of Perry County and Crawford County, Indiana, featuring some ecological communities more similar to Appalachia rather than the “typical” Heartland. (Source.)

[youthflight]

 WORLD BUILDING: NEVERLAND GEOGRAPHY.

the neverwood.  the neverwood is a lush jungle, but all sorts of creatures and plants can be found there, regardless of their natural habitat.  everything about the forest appears to be alive and breathing.  the ground is covered with dark, rich soil, the trees there are so massive that their roots dwarf even the greatest of beasts, and the dense canopy is filled with the songs of exotic birds, even at night.  it's here that you can typically find the lost boys, as well as members of the mollusk tribe, as the neverwood provides the best hiding spots and hunting opportunities.  it's inarguably the largest section in neverland, as it covers most of the island.

the home under the ground.  hidden beneath a large, dead-looking tree in the northern part of neverland is the secret headquarters of the lost boys and peter pan.  the tree has several openings, one for each lost boy, all who have been perfectly ‘fitted’ to their specific entrance, so that no intruders (read: pirates) can fit inside.  each entryway leads to a slide that takes them beneath the ground, and ejects them out again into the main room.  the home under the ground possesses several levels, bridged together by staircases carved out of the soil with ornate banisters made from the roots, as well as tunnels that pass beneath small lakes.  pelts, hand-made weapons, and other bits and bobs that the boys have gathered decorate the walls of the hideout, and its rooms smell heavily of herbs, dirt, and the smoke that comes off of the ever-burning fire in the hearth. on the farthest side of the main room is a small, hollowed out trunk that serves as tinker bell’s private apartment.

the wendy house.  a house crafted by the lost boys for wendy darling as an apology for nearly killing her, and as a way to honor her as their new mother.  rather than moving her from the spot where she fell, they built it around her.  it is crudely made out of sticks, leaves, and dried mud, but has a functioning door knocker, and a chimney made from a top hat.

the mermaids’ lagoon.  small and secluded, but teeming with life, the mermaids’ lagoon is the most scenic area in all of neverland, if not the most dangerous.  naturally, mermaids can be found here, primping and lounging about on the rocks during the day.  after sunset, they become incredibly hostile and enter a trance-like state, where they wail melancholically at the moon.  other creatures can be found here as well, such as tropical fish which live in the reefs beneath the surface, the neverbird, and a flock of pink flamingoes that fly overhead three times a day: once in the morning, once at noon, and once in the evening.

the mollusks’ camp.  the home of neverland’s indigenous people, who are led by tiger lily and her father.  the camp sits on a raised, rocky outcropping that juts towards the western neversea, and is unobstructed by foliage so that the tribe’s scouts can keep an eye both on the neverwood and the jolly roger in the distance.  there is only one way in and out, and the path is so narrow that groups must walk single file to avoid crowding or falling.  their position, while a bit precarious, keeps any attackers from sneaking up on them.

the jolly roger.  a brig captained by the infamous pirate, james hook.  should one find themselves on board, they must tread carefully, and do their best to escape before being discovered and placed at the mercy of his menacing iron claw.  when they aren’t ashore in search of peter pan and his lost boys, hook’s bloodthirsty crewmen busy themselves above and below deck, which makes sneaking aboard practically impossible.

pixie hollow.  all of neverland’s fair folk have been known to congregate here at one point or another, but as its name suggests, it's primarily inhabited by pixies.  it is located in the middle of the island, and is broken up into four sections: spring valley, summer glade, autumn forest, and winter woods.  in the center of pixie hollow is a large tree that dispenses fairy dust daily, and is maintained by dust keepers.  generally, it’s assumed that all of the magic of the island originates here, at its heart.

the neverpeak.  at the edge of pixie hollow’s winter woods stands the tallest mountain in all of neverland.  those who are capable of reaching the top are revered as bold explorers, due to the fact that it sits high above the clouds and is capped with ice and snow. from the peak, one can see farther than they ever thought possible.

rainbow falls.  the mountain range surrounding the neverpeak contains a series of waterfalls so powerful that the rainbows, created when the spray from the water refracts the sunlight, can be physically touched.  these waterfalls flow together and travel south through the island, which fills the basin of crocodile creek, and eventually spills over into cannibal cove.

cannibal cove.  despite it's ferocious name, the cove is one of the least active places in neverland.  whether it’s truly inhabited by cannibals or not is up for debate, as no one has ever actually seen them, but nobody ever seems to want to linger there for very long.  it’s the best spot for fishing on the entire island, but one must be willing to risk being bombarded with cannon fire, for the jolly roger sits anchored just offshore.

crocodile creek.  unlike cannibal cove, crocodile creek very much lives up to its name.  it is the home of several terrible reptiles, but its most notable resident is, of course, the crocodile that swallowed hook’s hand as well as a clock.  one should be cautious when crossing the creek, because there are several jagged and slippery rocks as well as muddy riverbanks, and hungry predators at every turn.

pegleg point.  neverland’s southernmost tip.  as one gets closer to the neversea, the elevated terrain of the cape dips down to become a pristine beach, where the shallows are so crystal clear that you can see the ocean floor below.  the color of the sand changes from time to time, but is always the same, perfect consistency, ideal for building sturdy sand castles (or burying enemies up to their necks to suffer under the hot sun, as the pirates sometimes do).  there is also a small sandbar located a short distance away, which can be reached by swimming.

blind man’s bluff.  a large cliff near the mermaids’ lagoon that overlooks the eastern neversea and skull rock.  other than the neverpeak, it’s the best place to view the stars at night.

skull rock.  an ominous, skull-shaped isle that rests not far from blind man’s bluff.  it is considered pirate territory, and features the dreaded marooner’s rock, where ruthless captains place mutineers and prisoners, who drown when the tide rises.  only the bravest venture there, for if the pirates don’t kill you, the occasional falling boulder might.

dead man’s cave.  just south of the mollusk tribe’s territory sits a small cave, positioned where the jungle meets the sea.  it is much safer than skull rock, as it isn’t on the verge of collapse within.  peter and the lost boys tend to use it as a place to play and store any loot that they collect.

the neversea(s).  so incredibly vast, to the point of appearing endless, the neversea surrounds and protects the island.  it is filled with dangerous creatures such as giant octopi and sharks, and its dark depths are unfathomable.  when crossing the neversea to reach neverland, one always arrives at dawn.

note: 

all neverlands are different!  the neverland listed above is peter’s neverland, which contains remnants of wendy’s / the darling children’s specific neverlands.  if your character comes to neverland, feel free to add locations specific to your character’s imagination.

[makedata]

Autumn at Maroon Bells by sunj99 // The Maroon Bells are two peaks in the Elk Mountains, Maroon Peak and North Maroon Peak, separated by about a third of a mile. The mountains are on the border between Pitkin County and Gunnison County, Colorado, United States, about 12 miles southwest of Aspen. Both peaks are fourteeners. Maroon Peak, at 14,163 feet (4317.0 m), is the 27th highest peak in Colorado. North Maroon Peak, at 14,019 feet (4273.0 m), is the 50th highest. The view of the Maroon Bells to the southwest from the Maroon Creek valley is commonly photographed. The peaks are located in the Maroon Bells–Snowmass Wilderness of White River National Forest. A US Forest Service sign on the access trail refers to these mountains as "The Deadly Bells" and warns would-be climbers of "downsloping, loose, rotten and unstable" rock that "kills without warning". Unlike other mountains in the Rockies that are composed of granite and limestone, the Bells are composed of metamorphic sedimentary mudstone that has hardened into rock over millions of years. Mudstone is weak and fractures readily, giving rise to dangerously loose rock along almost any route. The mudstone is responsible for the Bells' distinctive maroon color. The Bells got their "deadly" name in 1965 when eight people died in five separate accidents. Maroon Lake (9,580') occupies a basin that was sculpted by Ice-Age glaciers and later dammed by landslide and rockfall debris from the steep slopes above the valley floor.

[sohannabarberaesque]

Meanwhile, some observations from last weekend's Character Convocation over the Wo-Zha-Wa weekend in Wisconsin Dells

In view of the need to avoid the crowds tending to arrive on Friday afternoon and evening, the hosts--Snagglepuss, Huckleberry Hound and Crazy Claws--decided it best to start the proceedings on Thursday afternoon, beginning with the traditional registration and opening addresses as saw much in the way of Hanna-Barberian friendships coming around and recognised. Not to mention much in the way of coffee, tea and spiced apple cider being offered early arrivals.

Once five in the afternoon got around, Huckleberry Hound offered in his welcoming remarks:

Seeing as we're here for as much Wo-Zha-Wa weekend as a character convocation, I felt it best, for the sake of avoiding possible chaos and confusion with the early arrivals on Friday, to begin this afternoon. Not to mention point out that, in view of what amounts to a rather compressed schedule on Saturday and Sunday especially, we've decided to scrap the symposiae and emphasise more of a "meet-and-greet" approach with festival goers across downtown Wisconsin Dells, where the festivities are being concentrated, throughout.

Which Snagglepuss "himself" seconded thus:

No doubt about it: We think this new approach of emphasising more of a "meet-and-greet" take on things, with requests for autographs, selfies even--and even some informal conversation among fellow fans otherwise here for what the Ho-Chunk peoples of these parts of Wisconsin call "a fun time"--and I am sure it will BE that, mind you, will make things more interesting. Especially when they're reminded of choicest moments from younger days in their Saturday-morning presence. Never mind its being at The Keg or at the Sand Bar or even MACS ... or walking down Broadway, even ... I certainly hope much memories (and much conversation) will be made throughout.

The outright host of this particular Convocation, Crazy Claws, offered up these insights:

Just imagine, a crazy wildcat like myself finding himself in such a crazy place as Wisconsin Dells is for no apparent reason other than his being, in the Cattanooga Cats' immortal words, "up, down and on the ground" for no reason of his choosing ... and eventually managing to get a gig on those legendary Wisconsin Ducks, whose narration is said to be the stuff of legend and fit my somewhat convoluted style. Especially when "crossing the bar" heading into Dell Creek and throwing in a pitch to "Get Marooned at the Sand Bar" for the sake of wordplay and comedy.

Which became enough, mind you, for yours truly to settle down and make my own Hanna-Barberian self known should it happen that any fellow characters like yourselves come this way and want to truly discover this swingin' town. I acknowledge that many of you have come over this way, whether you liked it or not, and I acknowledge that we've had many wonderful experiences. Such as the time I was able to get an overnight jam session for The Banana Splits handled out of nowhere, and over the burgers at Monk's Bar, and believe you me, the whole couldn't have been crazier!

Or even when Undercover Elephant and Loudmouse decided to do some chunky-dunking--that's skinny-dipping for the fatter crowd--out at Bare Arse Beach below the Sugar Bowl in the Lower Dells on a muggy summer's afternoon.

Or the Hair Bear Bunch sharing some fried chicken from the Maurer's Market delicatessen ahead of some serious overnight swimming at an otherwise abandoned beach on Lake Delton, not managing to wake the tourists sleeping in nearby summer rentals; I assume you all remember it well....

I admit there's too many to remember, but I assume we've likely crossed paths here at least once. Even when the Skatebirds were doing some inline antics on the Riverwalk there....

And having the opportunity to join Huck and Snagglepuss in hosting such wonderful get-togethers for our crowd here at the Wo-Zha-Wa weekend has got to be in itself an interesting experience. Even if it took awhile just having to find the ideal selection of cheeses and sausages, let alone crackers, for the snack bar following (and may I just thank Kwicky Koala for his contributing such Australian crackers as Jatz and SAO to the snacking table, as if more conventional snack crackers weren't quite good enough--even the English Table Water such--for some of Wisconsin's finest).

Prompting Snagglepuss to remind all that the cheeses and sausages were nothing but such from among Wisconsin's finest, including some exceptional Landjager, a German hunter's sausage, and venison summer sausage--which Crazy Claws helped picked out, never mind the Market Square Cheese shop being tacky-looking and Carr Valley Cheese's such downtown actually being serious in a way, without having any sort of a factory shop look. As well as including some Sprecher's craft sodas, including root beer, orange, honey cream, blackberry and Puma Kola.

I can only say that the cheese-and-crackers table was never wanting, and that for some reason, the Puma Kola actually turned out being unusually popular. Not to mention schedules of the rounds being expected to be made, as well as parade appearences on Sunday.

*************

Friday morning: In spite of a light misty rain and fog, a special breakfast run of the Dells Boat Tours' flagship Upper Dells excursion vessel, the Clipper Winnebago, was arranged for, including complementary donuts, danish, cinnamon rolls, coffee, tea--and as a concession to one "Shaggy" Rogers, Pero, a grain-based coffee-ersatz gaining some attention stateside. (Turns out a few others decided to try out the Pero for novelty's sake, many such dismissing it as tasting a little too grainy for their own tastes although Penelope Pitstop, by her own admission, managed to approve of it.) The two stops of Witch's Gulch and Stand Rock were made, with the latter featuring Crazy Claws attempting the famous jump (yet barely, remarking upon return that "so much for taking a stand for Stand Rock, let alone making the jump from a standing position. Or more like an outstanding position, come to think of it").

And considering that the first of fall's colour were becoming evident, such couldn't fail to attract the interest and attention all the more of anyone and everyone on board. Not to mention the complement of hot coffee and fresh donuts.

Meanwhile, over at the Tommy Bartlett Exploratory ... another classic Tom and Jerry chase ensued around a certain exhibit aimed at demonstrating how difficult it can be to lift a 2.5 ton minivan with a simple rope, which had Tom attempt to give Jerry a difficult time with the platform ... only to have Tom hit his head over the beam, immobilising him for a time. Ironically, across the way-ho-way. Motormouse couldn't resist a convenience-store microwave beef-and-bean burrito ahead of a run (inevitably to be followed by Autocat) out into the Sauk County countryside around the Dells and Baraboo, even out into Devil's Lake and Reedsburg.

As midday faded into the afterlunch, with some of the first Wo-Zha-Wa weekend traffic ensuing, it seemed you couldn't resist many a Hanna-Barbera Funtastic out and about along Broadway, dividing their time between mingling among the tourists and browsing the tacky shops throughout (and in the case of many, not resisting the samples of the candy kitchens). We understand one tourist caught The Banana Splits in an "escape room" scenario as managed to be resolved rather quicky thanks to Snorky hiding in his trunk a lock pick, followed by some soup-and-sandwich time at Great Harvest Bread as included plenty of conversations with some from Milwaukee and Chicago over wholemeal bread done in delicatessen style.

*************

Unlikely Quote: Inch High, Private Eye to as unlikely a character as Crazy Claws: "So who exactly IS this 'Kenosha Kid' I heard might be trying to pull an appearence here?"

Yahooey, of those Goofy Guards, within earshot all the while: "Bet you never did the Kenosha Kid!"

Crazy Claws, rejoindering: "Whoever HE is ... anyhow, I assume he's having a Swig With Nig."

*************

As unlikely a Friday-night distraction as it could get:

Over at the Showboat Saloon (”Get Nuts At--”), Friday night saw a rather crazy “drum wars” exercise between The Banana Splits’ Bingo and the Cattanooga Cats’ Groove. Admittedly, the Showboat’s performance space may have been rather smoky-looking and the floor littered with peanut shells and skins, but the crowds (raucous as they were in a scenario such as this) couldn’t resist eating it all up as Bingo and Groove battled their way through every known exercise in rock-band drum technique, including the storied “rimshot.”

When it was all over, roughly around 12:30 in the morning (by which time things were bound to get rather absurdly silly), it was decided to declare the match a draw as no clear winner was bound to emerge. Settled, at any rate, by bottles of Sprecher’s Cream Soda as much as the legendary in-shell peanuts--and requests for “selfies” and autographs from lapsed-in-memory fans.

*************

And for a modestly pleasant early-fall Friday evening such as seems rare during Wo-Zha-Wa, there could be no doubt that practically all those in attendance couldn't resist the sensation of encountering such who probably recalled their Saturday-morning television being thus enlightened. Even if Wally Gator, on seeing alligator jerky being offered at the Loon Lake Cigar Company's premi, was overheard responding "Who said alligators were getting rather jerky themselves without benefit of a few beers?"

Don't go away ... there's more of this to come next week in this space!    

[lawchan89]

A Starco Christmas on Earth

So this is what happens when requests for “Starco in snow, Starco having Christmas on Earth, Starco holidays gifts,” and Starco fluff with a dash of my signature drama, all come together in a mishmash of holiday goodness. 

This one goes out to my chat fam @starbutterfly-diaz, @ghostgetters and my sis @pottyprismpower. Have a great holiday season, folks :)

“Eeeeeee! Marco you were right, you do have snow on Earth!” Star skipped out the door of the Cleveland airport, dragging her hot pink rolling suitcase behind her as she marveled at the piles of snow plowed up on the sidewalks. In the past couple of years, she had been disappointed to learn that snow never fell in Echo Creek, their holiday seasons being greener than she would have preferred. So when Angie announced that they would be spending Christmas that year with her relatives, Marco was quick to tell Star that Ohio winters were much colder.

“Ice patch!” Marco cried out hastily, grabbing the princess by the arm before her leaping feet flew out under her due to some slick ice covering the curb. “Watch where you’re going, we’re in a huge city.”

“I thought you said your grandma lived outside of Cleave Land.” She pronounced it as two separate words, making Rafael and Angie chuckle behind them as they hauled their own luggage to the taxis parked in a bumper-to-bumper line.

“I know but ‘til we get there, I don’t wanna lose you in a crowd,” Marco explained. And as if to emphasize his point, he wrapped her gloved hand in his and held on tight.

Star stared down at their joined hands, her heart emblems disappearing behind a blush. Giggling, she swung their hands back and forth like a little lovestruck schoolgirl. How many times had they subconsciously grabbed hands before? And now his touch flustered her? She shook her head: Being in love with your best friend was scary sometimes, a progression in their relationship she and Marco were still fumbling their way through. But nothing had ever felt more natural or more right than the moment they pledged their devotion to each other. And she knew that Marco stopping her from slipping on ice, or not wanting to lose sight of her in the bustling city, were his own little ways of saying he loved her.

“Why don’t you two take that cab, and we’ll get this one?” Rafael called, pushing the teens towards the yellow taxi ahead of theirs. “You remember the address?”

“Yes Dad, I remember,” Marco huffed out as a strong frigid gust of wind blew through, and he pulled the drawstrings of his red hood tighter around his face. “Have I mentioned how much I hate the cold?” he muttered to Star.

“Only like a thousand times between last year on Mewni and the past fifteen minutes since we landed,” she deadpanned, pecking the end of his nose underneath his nearly concealed eyes. “Let’s go, I can’t wait to meet the Phalanges.”

“I gotta warn you, they’re a little...loud,” Marco said hesitantly, throwing her bulging suitcase into the trunk beside his before the driver closed it. “I mean, most Greek families are, and it can be overwhelming for anyone not used to--”

“Marco, have you met the Johansens?” Star raised her eyebrow, folding her arms over her chest. “Trust me, I can handle it.”

“Touché,” her boyfriend chuckled, sweeping the car door open for her and gesturing for her to slide in. “After you, Princess.”

“You don’t have to pull the squire act here, Marco.”

“I know.” He grinned, sliding in next to her and slamming the door shut as he felt her snuggle up beside him. “But I like doing it.”

“And I like feeling safe in a strange place, so I guess we’re even.”

“Hey lovebirds, where to?” squawked the impatient voice of the cab driver, and the two of them jerked apart, blinking rapidly when they realized just how long they had been staring at each other.

“Er-- uh, 320 Sycamore,” Marco stammered out, “In Valley View.” He wrapped his arm around Star when her head dropped onto his shoulder, tuckered out from being awake and excited on the long flight. And when he was sure the cranky driver wasn’t looking, he pressed his lips to the top of her head.

Suddenly, he wasn’t nearly as cold as he was before.

As soon as they pulled up to the quaint little suburban house adorned in multicolored lights, they were greeted by a thin sprightly woman with greying dark maroon hair, grey eyes full of joy and wearing the ugliest reindeer sweater Marco had ever laid eyes on.

“Angela!”

“Good to see you, Mom!” Angie trilled, rushing up to kiss her mother on the cheek while struggling to balance the bags in her hands. “Thanks so much for letting us stay with you.”

“If it means I get to spend a week with my pride and joy, I couldn’t say no.” Grandma Phalange immediately turned to Rafael and grabbed his face down to her level, kissing his cheeks. “I’m of course talking about this one right here!”

“Aw, I love you too, Maralena!” the thickly built man said happily, lifting the older woman up in his arms and squeezing her to his chest.

“Rafael, not too hard,” Angie whispered as an aside, to which her husband promptly set his mother-in-law back on the ground.

“Marco?! Is that really you?”

“It’s been awhile, Nana,” Marco smiled, watching his grandma scurry over to him and letting her bestow a dozen kisses on his face.

“Look how tall you’re getting! You can’t be sixteen already, I refuse to believe it.” She poked him in the stomach, causing Marco to jump back sharply. “But you’re too thin, I need to fix that while you’re here.”

“Nana, you remember Star?” Marco gestured back to where his girlfriend stood in her bright red fur coat. “You met her a couple years ago when she was living with us as a foreign exchange student.”

“And judging from Marco’s Netbook status, I think I know why she is no longer living with you,” Grandma Phalange winked at Star before kissing both of her cheeks as well.

“You’ve been stalking my Netbook?!” Marco’s voice cracked in surprise.

“How else can I keep up with my family’s escapades?” she shrugged innocently, holding Star’s hands in hers. “I don’t blame you, she is such a pretty one.”

“Aww, thank you!” Star giggled, pressing her cold hands to her hot face to cover the blush.

“And free-spirited. You need someone like that in your life, Marco, you’re too tightly wound.” Patting his cheek, she scooped up the handle on Star’s suitcase before reaching for Rafael’s bags. “Let me show you to the guest rooms before you all freeze out here.”

“Coming, Tightly Wound?” Star joked over her shoulder at Marco.

“Go on ahead, I’m gonna grab my mom’s stuff,” Marco waved her forward as he hung back with Angie.

“You little liar,” his mother hissed once her husband and Star were out of earshot inside the house. “I know what you really wanna talk about.”

“When’s a good time to ask her?” Marco asked, jerking his head towards where his grandma had just departed.

“Tomorrow, while the cousins are here,” Angie replied, wrapping her scarf tighter around her neck as a chill swept through the air. “It’ll be so hectic no one will overhear you. Take her aside privately and just...go for it.”

Marco closed his eyes and nodded. His mother tried to make it sound like it was no big deal, but to him it felt like heading for the gallows. It wasn’t everyday you asked for the promise ring that your great-grandfather had given to your great-grandmother decades ago so you could give it to the girl you loved. And he knew Grandma Phalange was really touchy about the subject.

“Are you sure Nana’s gonna let me have it?”

“I’ve already mentioned this to her, Marco,” Angie said quietly, holding him by the shoulders. “It’s not like you’re going in blind. But she did say you needed to make a pretty strong case for yourself.”

“If this doesn’t work, then I’ll have no Christmas gift for Star,” Marco sighed dejectedly. “And she bought mine three months in advance.”

“Look at me,” his mother whispered, placing a finger under his chin to raise his eyes to meet hers, soft and green and filled with maternal love. “Just tell her what’s in your heart. For once in your life, honey, don’t overthink it.”

“Do it again, do it again!” little Cassie cried out, jumping up and down clapping her hands in the snow mound piled up to her knees.

Star laughed, “Okay, one more time.” Closing her eyes, she spread her arms out to the sides and let her inherent power take over. Bright yellow wings fanned out from her back, her long hair twisted itself up into two gold protruding braids, two extra pairs of arms extended from her sides, and her clothes unfurled into a bright yellow dress with orange trim. She hovered above the ground for a few moments while the Phalange cousins gaped at her in awe. Opening her eyes, Star fluttered over to a fresh patch of snow and lay down on her back, imprinting a perfect snow angel.

“Marco, your girlfriend is so weird,” Cassie’s older brother Gene shook his head with his eyebrows raised, before he went back to staring at his phone screen. His little sister, however, was enthralled.

“She’s like a fairy princess!” she exclaimed as Star flew over to her, dusting little snowflakes into her hair. “I like her!”

“Yeah, I like her too,” Marco smirked, rubbing the top of his cousin’s head. “Aren’t you cold?” he then asked Star, eyeing her bare arms.

“Kinda,” Star admitted, flitting her moth-like wings over to him. “Gosh, if only I knew a gentleman kind enough to offer me his hoodie.”

“You’re gonna have to catch that gentleman first.”

Star snorted. “Are you challenging the princess with butterfly wings to a chase?”

“Gimme a ten-second headstart and we’ll call it even.”

“Hey!” But Marco had already taken off down the hill, and she growled before flying after him. “I didn’t agree to that headstart!” Once she was positioned directly above him, she dive bombed, hearing him yelp as she tackled him into a snowbank. Not only did she have wings to her advantage but six arms as well, and with that, she easily pinned him to the ground.

“I admit defeat!” Marco cried out, putting on a show for his cousins who had scampered down the hill after them. “Here’s your prize, Princess.” Unzipping his jacket, he pulled her closer and wrapped his coat around her, letting her lay on top of him in an embrace.

“Mmm, we’re laying in a snowbank, but I don’t feel the chill at all,” Star murmured contentedly, pressing her cold nose to his neck, and he shivered a little. “Best friend, squire, boyfriend and personal heater all in one. I hit the jackpot.”

“Get a room!” came Gene’s call, and the couple laughed before exchanging a brief kiss.

“Wanna build a snowman next?” Marco asked.

“Um no, why would I subject your little cousins to one of those horrible things?!” Star shouted as she sat up, suddenly looking terrified.

“What are you talking ab--?” And then it hit him. “Wait, lemme guess: Snowmen are bloodthirsty monsters on Mewni who, I dunno, eat children or something.”

“Of course!” Star cried out.

“Star, what’d I tell you about nature on Earth?” Marco said patiently, sitting up beside her. “It’s nice. It’s gentle. Look how beautiful the snow looks right now.”

Star had faded back into her normal Mewman form over the course of their conversation, and now turned to look off into the distance. The flakes were falling gently, landing in her hair, on her coat, and mingling with her eyelashes. It was so peaceful, so serene out here, the snow on the tree branches looking like the pictures she saw on greeting cards in the stores.

“You’re right, Marco, it is beautiful.” She turned her head back to look at him, only to be stopped by his lips, capturing hers in another deeper kiss. Marco pulled back to look at the little flakes in her lashes, the rosy patches on her nose and cheeks just above her heart emblems. There wasn’t a single sight in winter more beautiful than this, and he could stare at it forever.

“Are you guys done playing?!” came Cassie’s call.

“Coming!” Star yelled back, standing to help Marco to his feet. “Marco said we should make a snowman next!”

“Yay, snowman!” Cassie cheered, running off to gather as much snow as she could with Gene trudging behind her.

“You guys go on ahead, I’m gonna go inside,” Marco said, letting go of Star’s hand as he started back up the hill.

“Wha-- c’mon Marco, seriously?” Star whined, tugging on his arm. “We’re having so much fun! Just a little longer?”

“Nah, you know I hate the cold. Plus I need to help Nana make Christmas Eve dinner.” Star frowned when he leaned in to peck her cheek. “I’ll see you inside, okay?”

He turned away and had only made it about ten feet before something hard, cold and wet smacked him in the back of the head. Whirling around, he saw Star still frowning at him, wiping snow off of her wand crest.

“Poophead!”

“I’ll make it up to you!” Hopefully, he added to himself as the back door of the house came closer into view. His uncles and older cousins were huddled around the television watching the game. His parents had gone into town to get more groceries. That meant his grandma was alone in the kitchen. It was now or never.

“Star, what’s it like being a princess?” he heard Cassie ask excitedly. “Do you wear pretty dresses and go to balls every day and dance with princes?”

He had to snicker to himself. His cousin was in for a wakeup call when Star told her exactly what being a real princess entailed.

“Marco, while I appreciate your perfectly formed meatloaf,” Grandma Phalange remarked as her grandson pulled the pan out of the oven later that afternoon, “I have a feeling this isn’t why you came to see me. Especially while your girlfriend is still outside with the kids.”

“Nothing gets past you,” Marco laughed a little too loudly before setting the meatloaf on the counter with a clatter. Tossing the oven mitts aside, he grabbed the tea kettle off its spot on the stovetop and began filling it with water. “How about a nice cup of chai tea? Your favorite, right Nana?”

“How did you know?” she gushed, pressing a hand to her heart. In reality, she knew exactly why he was buttering her up. Her sons Damien and Nick were only a little older than he was when they came calling for the exact same thing ages ago. Every man in their family coveted it, and knew what presenting it to that special someone in their lives meant.

“The red mug is yours, right? Or the tan one?”

“Marco, stop,” his grandma insisted, laying a hand on his arm. “We both know what you want. So let’s just cut to the chase.”

Marco set the two mugs gently down on the counter and sighed, chewing on the inside of his lip as he dropped a tea bag into each one. Very slowly, he turned to face her, straightening himself up tall, brown eyes boring into grey ones.

“I want the promise ring.” He tried not to sound demanding or impatient, keeping his hands firm at his sides even when he felt the urge to shove them in his hoodie pocket. “If I could. I-I wanna give it to Star.”

“The alien princess?” his grandma raised her eyebrow at him. “You really think the two of you have a future together, with one of you living here and the other in a castle on Moonie?”

“It’s Mewni,” Marco corrected her. “And I spend a lot more time with her there than I do here, to be honest. I’m training to be a knight right now.”

“Wow, look at you. I remember when you were afraid to flush the toilet when you were first potty trained. And now you’re sword fighting in another dimension’s kingdom?”

“No offense -- actually you know what, full offense -- why are you being so cynical?” he shot back at her. The tea kettle on the stove began to whistle as if on cue and he wrenched the dial to the off position sharply. “I thought the ring was a token of love and devotion and all that other mushy stuff.”

Grandma Phalange let out a long sigh, rubbing at the bridge of her nose with her thumb and index finger. Taking up the kettle, she divided the hot water between the two mugs. “Come here, paidí mou,” she said, taking him around the shoulder and leading him to the tiny kitchen table shoved into the corner, lowering herself into the seat across from him. “You like honey, right?”

“Sure,” Marco shrugged, swirling his spoon around in the caramel brown liquid once a dollop had been poured in.

“So I guess college is still a ‘maybe’, what with the--”

“Nana, you’re stalling.”

“Marco, that ring is cursed,” the older woman blurted out, slamming her hand on the table top so hard the liquid sloshed over the side of her cup. “How do you think I still have the thing? Because it keeps getting sent back to me. Your uncles both got divorced after they gave it to their wives. One of the hussies tried to pawn it off, and I managed to snag it before it hit the shelf. It’s passed through the hands of two of your older cousins already -- neither of their partners were able to commit.”

“What does that have to do with me?” Marco challenged her.

“Nothing,” she replied despondently, her veiny hand closing over his. “You know you’re my favorite grandson, I don’t try and hide it. That Star is a sweet girl, very funny and always smiling. But what makes her so special that you wanna give her your progiagiá’s ring?”

Marco chewed on his lip, staring down at his reflection in the tea. “You don’t know everything we’ve been through, Nana. It’s a lot. I’ve put my life on the line for her, and vice versa. One time she left me, without warning or so much as a goodbye, and it was like half of me went with her. I felt...incomplete. I needed her strength, her courage, her energy, and her spirit in my life. And it turns out she needed mine, too. I’ve lost her in so many ways. But...somehow, we always found a way back to each other.”

He squeezed her hand with newfound determination. “She’s my best friend. The greatest thing that’s ever happened to me. My...my lifeline.”

“I see.” Grandma Phalange drummed her fingers on the table, taking a sip of her tea as she glanced off to the side, a faraway look in her eyes. “On the ring, there is an inscription inside of the band. Do you know what it says?”

“Um, no. I’m, uh, not really fluent in that old text.”

“It is pronounced dýo psychés syndedeménes. Which in English means ‘two souls bonded’.”

Marco felt as if he’d been smacked in the head with another snowball. It’s like the thing was made for them.

“Does that sound like a phrase in line with you and your Princess Star?”

“Yeah--yeah, I think that might fit,” he squeaked out, while silently adding to himself, You have no idea.

And as if to emphasize, he took a long slurping sip of his tea.

“Marco!”

“I’ll be back out in a minute!” he called to Cassie, who had run back inside the house to meet him in the hallway, where he was lacing up his boots. In regards to the ring, his grandma had left him with a firm “I’ll think about it”. Which was better than a flatout “no”.

“Marco, come quick!” He looked up to see his little cousin wide-eyed and frightened, her green eyes watering. “Star made a sled out of a magic shield thing and went down the hill, but there was a tree and she hit it really hard and now--!”

“Where is she?” Marco asked huskily, grabbing her by the shoulders, his blood running cold.

Cassie said nothing, but took him by the hand and pulled him out the door, his coat open and his head and hands bare against the frosty air. Jogging over to the edge of the hill, his heart stopped. Lying on the ground beneath a pine tree with a dent in its trunk was Star’s motionless body sprawled facedown in the snow. His steady jogging sped up to a sprint, not stopping until he was at her side.

“Is she dead?” Cassie wailed as her cousin dropped to the ground and gathered up Star in his arms.

“No.” He didn’t know what compelled him to answer so certainly, he just felt like he’d know it if Star was actually dead. Luckily for him, he did find a pulse in her neck. “Star...Star, are you okay?”

“Mmm…” Her face twitched once it was released from being suffocated in the snow, her lids opening slowly to reveal her clear blue eyes. “Marco? Whoa...what happened?”

“You crashed your sled into a tree,” Marco replied in a long relieved exhale. In one swift motion, he scooped her up into his arms and carried her back up the hill, Cassie running ahead of them to open the back door.

“Where is it? Me and Cassie were in the middle of a race--”

“No, we’re done playing in the snow. We need to get you inside and warm you up.”

“Marco, I’m fine,” Star insisted, her tone laced with annoyance. “You can put me down.”

“I will once we get you in bed.”

“Bed? Marco, I’m not sick! I just hit a tree!” She spluttered indignantly, “I’ve taken way worse hits than this, you know that!”

“Yeah, but I’m not risking you getting hypothermia, which your body can have a delayed reaction to--”

“Okay, stop.” She pushed herself out of his arms, causing her to drop five feet to the ground. Brushing snow off her front, Star began to stomp the rest of the way back to the house with Marco tailing her closely. “I wanted to have a fun, unforgettable Christmas with Earth snow instead of in Echo Creek, and you’re just being a--a fun sucker!”

“I’m trying to look out for you!” Marco shot back, catching the back door before she slammed it in his face. “I’m your--!”

“Squire, I know!”

“Boyfriend! Best friend! All of the above! Point is, not only would your parents kill me if anything happened to you on this trip, but I’d never be able to live with myself!”

“I’m a warrior princess!” Star shrieked, stomping her slushed wet boot against the floor. “I don’t need you to protect me!”

“Whoa, drama,” came a voice from behind them, and they whirled around to see two of Marco’s older cousins, Zoe and Nikki, ogling them as they stood there in thigh-high boots and mini skirts, slipping on their suede and leather jackets.

“Mind your own business,” Marco snarled a little more aggressively than he meant to.

“Then get outta the way, we’re heading out,” Zoe snapped back, pushing past him towards the door.

“Where you going?” Star asked, almost eagerly.

“Gonna hit up a couple bars in town,” Nikki said, tearing her eyes away from her compact mirror to eye the princess up and down. “Why don’t you come too, Star? We can show you around.”

“She just crashed headfirst into a tree, I don’t think she’s feeling up--”

“I’d love to!” Star blurted out, glaring daggers at Marco for daring to answer for her.

“Cool,” Zoe nodded approvingly, throwing the door open once again as Marco’s jaw dropped open in shock.

“Wait a sec, what about Christmas Eve dinner?!”

“Relax little cuz, we’ll be back before dinner,” Nikki said, pinching his cheek, and Marco grimaced in a way that suggested she had done this often in the past. “Nana knows we always show up fashionably late.”

“Star, do you really think this is a good idea?” Marco implored her, fearing she would faint due to a concussion or worse.

“I dunno, Marco,” his girlfriend bit out, flinging her scarf back over her shoulder as she let the two older girls lead the way. “But I’m gonna figure it out for myself -- without your input.”

“Fine,” Marco spat out. And he took the liberty of slamming the door behind her once she stepped back outside. At this rate, not only was the ring getting further and further from his grasp, but so was a possible future with Star if he kept refusing to let her figure things out for herself.

Anger faded into acceptance, and acceptance melted into guilt as Marco glumly assisted his parents in setting the table for dinner. Of course everyone in the house had overheard his fight with Star, and of course Grandma Phalange had regarded him with emotionless eyes and a deep frown -- which meant he could forget all about the promise ring.

So not only had he pissed off the girl he loved more than anything, but now he didn’t even have a Christmas gift for her. Best vacation ever, he thought to himself sarcastically.

His uncles were already on their third beer of the night, and the rest of his cousins who had arrived later that day were screaming loudly at the TV when Marco heard the back door open once again. He rushed towards it, ready to shower Star with every apology he could think of when he stopped short. Only Zoe and Nikki were in the hallway, kicking off their boots.

“Where’s Star?”

“In the patio room. She, uh, wanted to be alone.” Zoe looked apprehensive, twirling a strand of purple-highlighted dark hair around her finger. “There was an incident downtown.”

“Is she okay?” Marco’s mouth was dry, his heart plummeting to his stomach.

“Look, y-you’re gonna need to ask her yourself,” Nikki stammered out, desperate to avoid talking about anything heavy. “Girl code. What happens in Vegas, ya know?”

“Right,” he nodded, taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly. “Tell Nana we’ll be eating later.”

Rounding the corner, he walked into the more modern addition to the house to find Star sitting on the sofa of the cabin-like living area, staring into the fireplace with her hands folded in her lap. Her head was bowed, long sheets of her luscious golden hair hiding her face from view, not even looking up when she heard someone approach her.

“Can I sit here?” She didn’t answer, and Marco took a chance, timidly lowering himself beside her on the couch. “I’m sorry. I’m really sorry about earlier, Star. I just get scared, it’s not that I don’t trust you--”

“It’s okay,” she whispered so quietly that he almost missed it. She shifted her legs, and only then did Marco notice a long rip in her red and white striped leggings.

Oh no, I was right...she did fall. Did she pass out from the crash earlier and was afraid to admit it to him? That know-it-all Safe Kid Marco would pull an “I told you so” and make her feel bad? He wouldn’t, of course, he would just be glad she was still here with him. Her safety was always more important to him than anything else -- even being right. Admittedly, it had taken him awhile to get to that point.

She remained silent and still, refusing to look at him, and he decided to just bite the bullet and ask. “Zoe said there was an incident?” That made her stiffen, and he slid closer to her. His heart clenched; he could see a purplish bruise around her wrist. That wasn’t from a fall.

“Star…” He reached gently for her injured hand, cupping it in both of his. She sniffled, and he watched a couple of drops fall into her lap. Now he knew for sure it wasn’t what he thought it was. It was worse. “Tell me...you can always tell me.”

Her other hand came up to swipe at her eyes, averting them from his as she remained fixated on the leaping flames, as though fascinated by them. “We were at one of the bars, and we were just about to leave,” she began in a wavering voice. “There was this guy…”

Marco froze. He knew where this was going, and he didn’t want her to finish. But now she was unloading on him and couldn’t stop.

“He must’ve overheard me say I was mad at my boyfriend. Huge guy, like, big as your dad. I told him I wasn’t interested, or available. I even thought about pulling the princess card.” She choked on a hard laugh that died into a sob in her throat, her fingers closing around Marco’s. “It didn’t matter. I...tried to walk out the door, and...he grabbed me.”

“Here?” Marco asked quietly, cradling her wrist in his hands.

“No, I mean he pushed me against the wall and he grabbed me.” Star’s other hand slid to the inside of her upper thigh, and Marco’s face hardened, a searing ribbon of anger winding its way around his heart and squeezing tight. “It all happened so fast, I couldn’t even stop him with my Wand until after he’d already--”

Her throat closed up, tightening with emotion, and she swallowed hard several times before going on. “But yeah, I blasted him back into the wall and took off down the street with Zoe and Nikki before he became conscious again.”

He’s lucky that’s all he got. Marco heard his heart pounding in his ears, felt the heat rising in his face. There were some black belt techniques he knew he would have performed without any shred of honor, moves that would’ve done that creep in if precisioned accordingly. But there was nothing he could do now. The damage was done. And that killed him more than anything. There was nothing he could do.

“And you know what’s funny? What’s absolutely hilarious?” Star raised her head at last, revealing the tears on her cheeks streaking over her heart emblems. “In that split second he had me, and every moment afterward, even though I took care of him myself, I…I was wishing with everything inside me that you were there.” Her face crumpled, her body beginning to tremble with suppressed sobs as Marco rubbed the back of her hand. “See how that works? I told you I didn’t need you to protect me, and then-- sweet Mewni, it’s such a joke. I’m a joke.”

“No you’re not.” It was all he could say. He let her take the lead, remembering from his psychology book that in terms of physical affection, it was best to let the victim determine what was best. When she saw Marco open himself up invitingly, Star broke down completely, leaning against his chest and sliding her arms around his waist. Only then did he envelope his arms around her shuddering form, rubbing little circles into her back as he let her cry it all out.

“I’m here now…” he whispered into her hair. “I’ve got you now.” Marco heard a slight movement from the doorway, and looked up just in time to see his grandma’s retreating form. On the table next to Star’s end of the couch, she had set a tray with two steaming mugs of hot cocoa.

And between them...his heart leapt into his throat: An aged velvet ring box.

He didn’t understand what had suddenly made her change her mind, nor knew how long she had been standing there. Maybe he’d ask her about it later. Or maybe he’d just count his blessings. As Star began to quiet against him, Marco reached for the comforter on the back of the sofa and tucked it around her.

“Here, Nana made us cocoa.” He quickly swiped the ring box from the tray before Star noticed, handing her a mug when she raised her head slowly.

“Thanks,” she mumbled thickly, staring blankly down into the brown liquid and trying to focus on Marco’s arms secured around her -- and not the horrific sensation of where she had been touched earlier that evening. “Ya know, last year we were almost killed by the Stump, and this year…” She trailed off, dashing some more tears from her face. “Honestly, I’d rather take on the Stump over this any day.”

“Me too,” Marco nodded, sipping slowly from his own cocoa. He reached up to brush her hair from her face, “Feeling any better?”

Star lifted her shoulders in a shrug. “I feel safe now. I guess that’s all I can ask for.”

Marco felt that familiar tug of guilt seize him, his hand travelling down to cup her cheek. “Star, I’m so sorry this happened. You’re beautiful and brave, you can take care of yourself, and nothing that happened today was your fault.” He kissed her forehead, “I love you, Star.”

“I love you, too,” Star warbled out, trying desperately not to start crying again. But those deep brown orbs staring right through to her soul were making it impossible. As she went to embrace him once again, she felt a slight bulge poking out of his front hoodie pocket. “Marco, what is that?”

“O-oh, that.” Not exactly the best circumstances under which he wanted to offer the Phalanges’ most precious heirloom, but he knew Star wouldn’t leave it alone until he told her. Marco pulled out the box, facing it towards him before finally opening it.

It was cast in gold, polished good as new despite its age, and adorned with a brilliant ruby bordered by two tiny pearls above and below it.

“Marco?”

He removed it from the box, and sure enough, he found the black inscription on the gold band beneath the gems: δύο ψυχές συνδεδεμένες.

Two Souls Bonded

“Oh my corn, it’s a ring!” Star leapt backwards in the most spontaneous motion he had seen from her in hours, the remains of her cocoa splashing onto the floor.

“Wha--wait, Star, calm down--”

“I’ve seen the movies, Marco!” she continued in a panic, pointing frantically. “I know that’s what Earth girls wear when they’re gonna -- when someone asks them to--!”

“Star, it’s not an engagement ring,” he stated evenly. “W-we can’t get married, I haven’t even sent out my college applications yet!”

“Oh...right…” She slid back into the cushions sheepishly. “I’m sorry Marco, go on.”

Marco exhaled forcefully, more out of nerves than anything, placing the ring into her palm. Her eyes lit up, sparkling baby blue in the flickering firelight.

“Marco, it’s beautiful.” There was something raw and rough about hand-crafted Earth jewelry, something that made it more meaningful than Mewni’s magically formed precious metals that looked almost too perfect. Real effort was put into these, and Star could see it in every inch of this ring.

“It was my great-grandma’s, given to her by the man who would become her husband. It’s been a tradition for one of the Phalange men to give this ring to...the most special person in their lives.”

“And you’re giving this to me?”

He swallowed hard. “A while back, I knelt before you and took a vow to be by your side in times of peace or danger. Today, I failed to keep that vow.”

“Marco--”

“Yeah Star, I did,” he cut her off earnestly, feeling tears form in the corners of his eyes. “I wasn’t there when you actually needed me most. I failed you as your squire today, and I can never fix that. It’s in the past. But now...I wanna look ahead to the future.” He turned the ring over, showing her the inscription, “In Greek, it says ‘two souls bonded’.”

Star’s eyes welled up, “Our two souls are bonded.”

Marco nodded, turning her hand over and sliding the ring up her left finger. “Starlight Destiny Butterfly, please accept this ring as my solemn promise to uphold my oath from this day forward: To be your faithful squire, your devoted lover, your loyal battle partner, and most importantly, your most cherished and dearest best friend, until the end of time.” He held his breath. “Do you accept?”

“I...do,” Star breathed out, tears pouring freely down her face as she gulped. “Marco, I...I can’t believe you think I’m worthy enough for--”

“Stop right there,” Marco whispered. “Whatever you’re thinking, just stop. You are always worthy enough, and don’t you ever doubt it for a second.” He kissed the back of her ring hand, then pressed his lips to her injured wrist even more tenderly. “Merry Christmas, Star.”

“Merry Christmas, Marco,” Star whimpered, closing the distance between their lips. It was salty and gross from her tears and snot, but it sealed the deal between them once and for all. She had never been more in love with the young man in her arms than she was right now, the familiar sensation of her heart emblems glowing radiating from her cheeks.

“Star, I’ll never be able to protect you from everything that’s out there,” Marco said softly as they broke apart.

“And I don’t expect you to,” she replied, cradling his face now marred by a few glittering tear tracks. “But I’ll always have your arms to come home to when I need that protection. That’s enough for me.”

“Marcooooo!”

“What is it, Cassie?” Marco rolled his eyes, he and Star chuckling as their intimate moment was interrupted by the little girl bounding into view.

“When are you coming to eat?”

“In a minute, I’m giving Star her Christmas present.”

“See?” Star thrust her left hand out, dangling the ring in front of the child’s wide eyes.

“Pretty!” Cassie cried out, clapping her hands together. Then a sudden realization came over her face, “Wait, so does that mean Marco’s your prince now?!”

“Uhh…” Marco trailed off, rubbing the back of his neck with a lopsided grin. “It’s not really a--”

“That’s right!” Star nodded eagerly, grabbing Marco’s face and kissing his lips once more. “That’s right, Cassie...he’s my prince.”

And they pressed their foreheads together silently as the fire continued to crackle before them.

[thorsenmark]

A Creek and a Setting of Mountains by Mark Stevens Via Flickr: During an early evening stroll just after sunset along the Maroon Creek Trail. Here I wanted to capture that peaceful, serene type setting I had with West Maroon Creek and the nearby groves of aspen and evergreens. Off in the distance were the peaks of Maroon Bells and the fading lights of the day...

[iammbb]

Bridget Tweeted

Highlands and the Maroon Creek Valley ... • • •#aspen #highlands #tiehack #buttermilk #aspenhighlands #skitownlife #mountaintownlife #uphill via Instagram https://t.co/H7TWTYzj93 pic.twitter.com/1jJKD2IVqp

— IamMBB (@IamMBB) January 24, 2021

from Twitter https://twitter.com/IamMBB January 23, 2021 at 05:34PM via IFTTT

[aspenbros1]

Top 4 Aspen Ski Resorts (And Nearby Ski in Ski Out Condos in Snowmass)

The word Aspen conjures images of picture-perfect snowcaps with ski lifts and fancy restaurants. It’s so famous as a vacation destination for the rich and famous that the name itself is almost like a brand.

  It might just be skiing, arts, and outdoor fun for the outsider, but the locals call this “The Aspen Idea” – a cultural renaissance that dates back to the 40s and is still thriving to this day.

  An Introduction to Aspen Ski Resorts

Aspen used to be a silver mining town but now these mountains are home to four ski resorts all owned by the same company.

  Aspen Mountain or Ajax serves as Aspen town’s backdrop. To the west are Aspen Highlands resort and Buttermilk ski resort.

  Snowmass, which is bigger than the three resorts combined, has a bigger base village and ski area.

  Quick Facts about the Four Ski Resorts in Aspen Colorado:

Ajax or Aspen Mountain Ski Resort

Wanna ski down the same slopes as the athletes of the FIS Alpine World Cup? Ajax is just the ski resort for you.

  Fair warning, this resort was chosen for the event because of its technical, unforgiving runs. They have no slopes for beginners, and about 65% of the trails are for experts.

  The ski area is served by a centralized gondola that will take you up to the peak in a mere 10 minutes where you can enjoy a range of diamond and double diamond runs.

  Most skiers here will spend their time on the upper-mountain quad, where they can enjoy intermediate trails and ridges.

  If that’s not your thing, head to Ruthie’s run or International if you’re looking for long cruisers. Bell Mountain is the spot for bump skiing.

  Tourists looking for accommodation should head to The Little Nell, the tried and tested ski-in, ski-out luxury hotel at the base of Aspen Mountain.

  Aspen Highlands Ski Resort

Local favorite Aspen Highlands is also a playground for advanced skiers, albeit with less grooming.

  The Highland Bowl, the resort’s main attraction, takes 20 minutes of climbing in strong winds just to reach the top. Yes, there’s no lift that can take you up the peak… you can take a cat ride but you’ll have to hike the rest.

  The fresh tracks and mountain views of Maroon Peak, one of the few peeks over 14,000 feet in Colorado, make it worth the effort though. Highland Bowl isn’t for the faint of heart and is best reserved for the latter part of your stay once you’ve acclimatized to the altitude.

  Of course, you don’t have to take the hike to Highland Bowls to have a good time in Aspen Highlands. The Cloud Nine trails offer plenty of runs for less the work.

  Buttermilk Ski Resort – The Family Friendly Resort

Don’t let the first two ski resorts on this list dissuade you from going to Aspen. They have beginner-friendly ski resorts, too.

  Buttermilk is perfect for freestylers and beginners with its gentle runs and huge snow park, most famous for being the choice venue of the X-Games.

  So if you’re a newbie looking for a less crowded training ground, Buttermilk is the perfect resort.

  Ski parents can enjoy the Tiehack section and its gorgeous views of Maroon Creek Valley, which has a couple of advanced runs. True, it’s not like the ones at Highlands or Ajax but it’s not as crowded so that’s a plus.

  Meanwhile, their kids can enjoy The Hideout, Buttermilk’s learning center specifically made for young skiers two and a half to four years of age.

  Buttermilk is an all-around family friendly resort with world class amenities.

  Aspen Snowmass: Home of the Capital Peak Lodge and The Best Rentals in Snowmass

Aspen Snowmass is the biggest and most popular resort in Aspen. The combination of diverse slopes in Snowmass mountain, ski school, excellent dining options, and extensive hotel options make them the top choice for travelers.

  Their après options – or after skiing activities – and nightlife also live up to the town’s glitzy hype. There’s also plenty to explore at the base town — Snowmass village Colorado.

  Well-positioned lifts throughout the resort’s 3,300 acres of skiable terrain means there’s hardly a line to enjoy the slopes of Snowmass, and less climbing, more skiing for everyone.

  Outside the ski area in Snowmass Village, guests can enjoy an Ice Age discovery center that features a woolly mammoth and other huge skeletons that were found in the area before it became the now famous Snowmass village.

  There’s also a climbing wall, ice rink, and the newly opened Limelight Hotel in Snowmass Village. Capital Peak Lodge is also located here, along with several boutique stores in Snowmass village mall.

Considering a Longer Stay? Snowmass Village Condos  for Sale

Aspen is organized in a grid framework, with the resorts surrounded by a healthy number of restaurants, hotels, and boutique shops.

  As with any skiing destination, ski in and ski out hotels and condominium command a higher price than vacation rentals a shuttle bus ride away. They also get booked solid in the months leading up to the ski season.

  Non ski in/ski out properties offer free shuttles and bus rides to the resorts. Just ask your hotel for the trip schedules.

  You also have the option to leave your gear in ski lockers available at the base of the gondola, so you don’t have to lug them back and forth to your room.

  This is why ski in/ski out townhouses and luxury condos in Aspen are great investments for avid skiers.

      It’s not just a sure-fire way to ensure you don’t have to catch a shuttle to enjoy fresh powder, it can also turn into a good secondary source of income. A three bedroom ski in, ski out property can fetch anywhere from $800 to as much as $4,000 a night.

  Outside the ski season, these properties can also be rented out or enjoyed for a bit of hiking or countryside biking.

Ski in/Ski Out Snowmass Condo and Vacation Homes for Sale

Unit A 755 S Aspen Street “One Aspen”

This property has 3 bedrooms and 4.5-baths, and sits on 5, 507 square feet of mountain side. It’s located at the base of Ajax, just beside Lift 1A.

It’s part of a collection of 14 mountainside residences but still close to the restaurants and shops downtown.

  And with its modern lines, spacious layouts, and coveted outdoor living spaces, it might just be the best Aspen address yet. Incredible opportunity to get into this neighborhood before the new ski lift is constructed to replace the current Lift 1A! A public vote approved a new chairlift (and two new hotels) to be constructed on South Aspen Street. Once those improvements are in place the ski and chairlift access to Aspen Mountain will be across the street!

  Nearby Ski Resort: Ajax

623 South Monarch St, Aspen

Selling Price: $3,650,000

  Superior Aspen core townhome in triplex.

  Light and Bright with windows on three sides. End unit with large private deck overlooking Aspen Mountain and town.

  Both exterior and interior remodels in 2015.

  Main floor includes an updated open plan kitchen with a gas stove, built in dining table, gas fireplace and floor to ceiling windows.

   Entire top floor is master bedroom with steam shower

Garden level has queen bedroom and custom bunk room with hang out space for kids.

Second bathroom with tub/shower

Enormous rental potential

AC and ski storage

Location is exceptional with ski in access at present and the property will be ski and out with new lift 1-A and all the amenities of the coming Aspen Street hotel projects.

  Back of property will be the new city park, Dolinsek Gardens.

  Nearby Ski Resort: Ajax

112 Falcon Road at FiveTrees Subdivision

Selling Price: $12,800,000

  Based on just over two secluded acres, bordering private land and positioned at the end of the road for extra security, sits this exclusive ski-in, ski-out enclave of Five Trees.

  This five-bedroom, six-and-a-half-bathroom single family home elevates artful design to new heights and is offered professionally decorated and fully furnished, including the kitchenware and artwork, the home is truly turnkey.

  The home’s interiors are defined by exquisite finishes, including Venetian plaster walls, walnut floors, and soaring ceilings with dramatic beam trusses.

  Expansive copper cladded windows frame mountain views of Baldy Peak and the Willow Creek Valley showcasing the breathtaking natural surroundings and reinforcing the secluded feeling of this home.

  This Aspen single family home is for sale and has 5 bedrooms, 5 full baths, 3 partial baths and was built in 2007.

  Nearby Ski Resort: Aspen Highlands

38750 Highway 82 #2203 Luxury Condo in Aspen

Selling Price: 259,000

This 347 square feet, 2nd floor king suite has enviable access to the front desk, Home Team BBQ, Buttermilk ski lifts and all amenities the Inn has to offer.

It’s not a condo in Snowmass but if you want a family-friendly place, this is for you.

  king with pull out soft

·private owner’s closet in room

Ski-in/Ski-out

complimentary shuttle service

restaurant and bar

exercise room

pool

24 hour front desk on site.

2 parking spaces

Private owner’s storage closet in the room allows for easy visits – as does the Inn at Aspen van that connects guests and owners to the airport and downtown Aspen.

  Nearby Ski Resort: Buttermilk

  366 Pfister Dr, Aspen

Selling Price: $10,500,000

  Exclusive Ski-In Ski-Out at Tiehack!

  Whether you prefer downhill skiing, skinning, mountain biking or perhaps neither, this slope side Tiehack home offers easy access to some of our most beloved local activities, or just the right amount of privacy to qualify as a true mountain escape.

  The Robert Trown-designed 6-bed, 8-bath home embraces the mountain aesthetic with classic finishes, expansive living spaces with vaulted ceilings, grand kitchen with breakfast nook, inviting bedrooms, opulent baths, and media room plus private decks, a patio and views.

  Convenient to downtown Aspen with the Maroon Creek Club just down the hill, the airport and neighboring Aspen Highlands and Snowmass ski areas are just minutes away.

  Nearby Ski Resort: Buttermilk

  Explore More Ski in/Ski Snowmass Condos for Sale

Whether you’re looking for a 3-bedroom condo or bigger 5-bed townhome for your stay in Snowmass, having the right guide to show you around is key.

  After all, you’ll be buying a prime real estate. Not all Snowmass ski in ski out condos will fit your particular needs when it comes to a vacation home or vacation rental.

  Some properties have hot tubs or a golf course, others compensate for it with a heated pool and other amenities. A membership to the Snowmass Club, while coveted, is only available upon purchase of certain properties in Aspen Snowmass.

  You’ll take the time to research to find one that meets your need, location and amenity wise. But online research on Zillow and agent online listings can only take you so far.

  There are subtle differences in property condominium amenities, locales, and even unit furnishings that only a visit with an experienced realtor can show you.

  Let us know what it is exactly you’re looking in Snowmass village condos —or nearby areas in the Roaring Fork valley, and we’ll take care of the rest.

from WordPress https://ift.tt/34SYcl8 via IFTTT

[gravelish]

Aspen

20 September 2020

Maroon Bells is always on lists of must-do Colorado bike rides. Which makes sense, but I wanted to personalize it a little, so I started lower in the valley at the Brush Creek Intercept Lot (a Park’n’Ride) and added a loop up to Snowmass.

The weather was perfect and the colors were nice. It’s a little early for some of the aspen, but many of the stands have begun to turn yellow.

The Snowmass Loop by itself would be great thanks to Aspen’s incredible bike trail network. Up the Brush Creek Trail, down (mainly down) the Owl Creek Trail, and back on the Rio Grande Trail. My route added the short additional climb up to the Snowmass ski area itself and of course, the long climb up to Maroon Bells, which tops out at 9600’.

Most of the that climb is on the Maroon Creek Road, but since much of it is closed to most cars, it’s mainly shuttle buses and bicycles. The grades are modest, which means the climbing is manageable and the descent is a blast. 25-35 mph without much braking. Smooth pavement. No sharp turns. No big drop offs.

What I had not expected, but I guess makes sense, is e-bikes. Lots of them. I suppose most are rented in town. Young people, old people, families with little kids. There were plenty of unassisted cyclists, too, some faster than others, but the e-bikers were clearly the majority. The parking lot at the top was packed!

[princessweddingdressesbyalf-blog]

Princess Wedding Colors

Wedding Venues In California - Islands

Table of ContentsWedding Venues & Hotels - Sonomacounty.com4 Wedding Venues Near San Francisco - Bay Area Wedding ...Wedding Venues In San Diego - Aall In Limo & Party BusMost Beautiful Wedding Venue In Every State - PurewowAmerica's Best Wedding Venues - BridesWedding Venues San Diego - The Us Grant, A Luxury ...Wedding Venues - Greenbrier Valley

Your visitors will certainly be welcomed to take a gondola trip up Aspen Hill to an elevation of 11,212 feet, where they will certainly reach your ceremony at The Wedding Deck or nearby Aspen Mountain Club. Impressive views of the renowned Maroon Bells and also the Rocky Mountains will certainly frame the special memories developed on your wedding.

Dazzling 360-degree sights turn from the Channel Islands past Santa Barbara to rambling canyons under ancient canopies of Eucalyptus. Fragrant Magnolia as well as orange blooms perfume the landscape for a wedding event experience like nothing else. Santa Barbara, CA The Cattle Ranch at Rock Creek Miles of river, woodland, valley, as well as view offer virtually unlimited opportunities for picture-perfect and also awesome ceremonies, intimate breakfasts, and cheery receptions.

Here, you can joined at the Historical Barn, or state "I do" in the middle of the wild blossoms and also Huge Sky background. Philipsburg, MT Glenmere Estate Set on 150 acres of lavish landscape, Glenmere Manor transports you to Europeonly 50 miles far from New york city City. The 5-star hotel enables for buy-outs, so the building can become your own for the weekend.

Wedding Venues In California - Islands

Chester, NY Malibu Rocky Oaks Estate Vineyards This premier winery venue boasts breathtaking sights of the Santa Monica Mountains and rolling hills of California for a sky-high experience like no various other. Pro pointer: the estate advises scheduling dates from April to November for the very best climate and also greenest vines. Malibu, CA AMAN Venice Embed in one of the city's 8 splendid significant palazzos on the Grand Canal, AMAN Venice personifies all that is outstanding as well as sensual regarding La Serenissima (Northern Italy).

Wedding Venues & Hotels - Sonomacounty.com

Venice, Italy Daughters of the American Transformation Hall This preferable location simply blocks from the White Home includes glorious sights of the Washington Monument. Crystal chandeliers, antique furnishings, as well as extravagant Beaux-Arts style are just a few of the factors we love this historic space, whose indoor/outdoor options are both elegant as well as picturesque.

Pippin Hillside Ranch & Vineyards Sweeping views of rolling hills and vineyards coupled with a culinary experience like no other is all you need for a successful celebrationand Pippin Hill has you covered on all accounts. What's even more, the residential or commercial property is possessed and operated by Easton Concierge Group, co-founded by one of FAIR New bride's Leading Wedding Planners in the World, Lynn Easton of Easton Events.

Wedding Venues – Visit Mendocino County

The Best Virginia Wedding Venues For Washingtonian Couples

It walks an equilibrium in between English beauty and also playfully surrealfor some, Aynhoe Park is a diverse playground of the imagination; for others, it's a research study in refinement. For all, nevertheless, it is a retreat from the foreseeable and also a remedy to the everyday. See just how this couple wed at Anyhoe Park and merged the English countryside with Burning Man motivation to fit their style.

Decide for an intimate ceremony in the church surrounded by frescoes, or capitalize on one of the bigger locations on home (for up to 500 visitors). Enjoy supper outside in the gardens or indoors at the Conventino, an ancient church inside the residential or commercial property turned right into a great hall. Florence, Italy Haiku Mill A stunning residential property situated on Maui's north shore, off the well-known Roadway to Hana, you'll discover Old World Europe meets natural Hawaiian splendor at Haiku Mill.

Maui, Hawaii Ritz Paris Paris, while referred to as The City of Light, is also indisputably the city of love and also love. And the Ritz Paris is a jewel bryllup københavn box in the center of everything, with its sweeping views of the Place Vendme. With stunning ballrooms, magnificently appointed suites, and also some of the most quintessentially Parisian information in shop, it's not surprising that fashion bride-to-bes across the world dream of wedding inside its walls as well as in it's private courtyard.

Eight Historic Massachusetts Wedding Venues For ... - Boston

If you can not make a decision whether a luxurious ballroom function, a countryside ceremony, or a '20's glam after event feeling is ideal for you, this venue might house them alland more. Asheville, NC Plants Farms This farm-to-table place and dining establishment is a Cabo fan-favoriteand forever reason. With numerous private outdoor locations for events, like a Mango Grove with a block barn, a natural herb yard amphitheater, a beautiful potting shed, restaurant, and much more, the variety of guests and time of year assistance determine which location is finest fit for you.

San Jos del Cabo, Mexico Atlanta Background Center Assume Gone with the Wind at this historic residence in the heart of Georgia. With gorgeous design and yards, think about the magnificent lawns at the Swan Residence Mansion or the rustic appeal of the Smith Family Farm as well as McElreath Hall for your wedding celebration settingeither method you'll enjoy its Southern design.

Providing an one-of-a-kind setup for any kind of size event (huge or little), the dramatic clocktower is elegant, open, and also airy. And when you aren't eating in one of the city's ideal known buildings, your visitors can enjoy all the restaurants, activities, and also websites SF needs to provide. San Francisco, CA French's Point Make your wedding event event really feel like a trip, a get-together, and a wedding celebration all-in-one at French's Pointa stunning 14-acre venue on the coastline of Maine.

The Best Virginia Wedding Venues For Washingtonian Couples

Beautiful Wedding & Event Venues Nationwide - Wedgewood ...

Stockton Springs, ME The Frick Collection Evoking the glamour of Gilded Age New York City, The Frick Collection is a globally recognized museum and research study facility understood for its distinguished Dutch Master paintings and also superior instances of European sculpture and attractive arts. While numerous New york city City places of this caliber feel grand, large, and also better for a large guest checklist, this special space supplies a classy yet intimate feeling for any kind of ceremony, reception, mixer, or welcome supper.

New York, NY, UNITED STATES Domaine de Andols Exuding pure deluxe in one-of-a-kind ways, Domaine de Andols features distinct, contemporary vacation homes for you and your visitors as well as a marvelous centenary tree changed right into dining establishment at the end of the Domaine. Serving fresh and neighborhood items at this put on hold tree leading balcony, the view of the Domaine as well as the scent of the lavender areas are just a number of the reasons you'll never desire to leave.

Saint-Saturnin-ls-Apt, France Taj Lake Palace Holding previous clients such as Jacqueline Kennedy as well as Queen Elizabeth, this regal and also absolutely charming royal residence in Udaipur is 2nd to none. The hotel's striking white marble exterior with views of Udaipur, the Aravalli hills, and also temples all over work as the ultimate background for an intimate wedding celebration in India.

Wedding Venues - Receptions - Cedarparkfun - Cedar Park

Pro Idea: Here, you'll likely need to reserve a specific number of areas for as much as 60 guests, so make sure to verify your matter. Udaipur, India 4 Seasons Lanai Panoramic sights of the Pacific and an authentic Polynesian cultural flair meet the supreme in solution, ease, as well as quality at the 4 Seasons Lanai.

Lanai City, Hawaii The White Elephant A New England location with a preppy style, the White Elephant harbor side inn hosts wedding events on its well-manicured yard. For those looking to throw an especially lush event, the whole resort (with area for 300 guests) is readily available for rent. Functions follow on the terrace forgeting the beachfront, with adequate oysters and alcoholic drinks to please even the pickiest of visitors.

The location comes total with a range of options, both inside your home and also out, like the elegant Chandelier Ballroom, which houses 8 bespoke Baccarat crystal chandeliers, and also the 8,000-square-foot Wonderful Grass, with boundless ocean views. Montecito, CA Cedar Lakes Estate This is where you should head if "down-to-earth," "rustic," "nature-lover," or "modern bohemian" ideal explains you or your aesthetic.

Wedding Venues - Weddings In Houston

From a treehouse to lakeside event, this home satisfaction itself on just reserving a choose varieties of weddings annually to concentrate on making each of them one-of-a-kind, unique, and also well-executed. Greenville, NY Nizuc Hotel & Medical Spa Simply outside Cancnand just ten mins from the airportlies heaven, serenity, as well as absolutely nothing close to the springtime break vibes you're utilized to in this part of the nation.

Keep in a modern skyscraper with your very own personal plunge swimming pool, or go with a relaxing yard rental property in the mangroves. Boasting two exclusive coastlines, a luxurious health spa by ESPA, 6 premium dining establishments, and sumptuous lodgings, Nizuc is suitable for wedding events both large and also little. Area: Cancun, Mexico Amangiri Amangiri, which implies 'calm hill', lies in Southern Utah and also is a minimal's dream.